Olympic boxing: Kazakhstan's Sapiyev wins welterweight gold

London - Kazakhstani boxer Serik Sapiyev won gold in the men’s welterweight (69 kg) category Sunday, dominating Britain’s local hero Freddie Evans 17-9 in front of the home crowd.

Evans struggled with Sapiyev’s longer reach throughout the fight, missing with many of his counter-punches as the Kazakhstani fighter picked him off from range.

Sapiyev, the world championship silver medallist last year, won the first round 4-2, landing several strong hooks on Evans’ head as the European champion failed to counter, and the pattern continued as Sapiyev won the second round 6-3.

Sapiyev punished Evans in the third round, landing strong shots to his opponents’ head as he won the round 7-4.

Ukrainian world No. 1 Taras Shelestyuk and Russia’s Andrey Zamkovoy won bronze Friday after they were defeated in the semi-finals.