Kamshybek Kunkabaev
KazakhstanKamshybek Kunkabayev
Kamshybek Kunkabayev is a professional boxer from Kazakhstan who competes in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He is a Merited Master of Sports in Kazakhstan, a bronze medalist at the 2020 Olympic Games, a two-time silver medalist at the World Championships (2017 and 2019), a three-time silver medalist at the Asian Championships (2017, 2019, and 2021), a silver medalist at the World Military Games (2015), a champion at the World Military Games (2014), a winner of the international tournament in Bulgaria (2015), a champion of the Spartakiad of Kazakhstan (2015), and a champion and medalist in the national championship among amateurs. Among professionals, he is the current WBO Asia Pacific champion in the cruiserweight division (2021-present).
Amateur Career
Kunkabayev has been boxing since 9th grade, when he was first trained by Seitjan Tokenov. He competes in the heavyweight division (over 91 kg) and is a member of the Kazakhstan national team and CSKA. He represents the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan in competitions and trains at the Tarlan Boxing Center in Kyzylorda under the guidance of Merited Coach of Kazakhstan Galym Baibundiev.
In 2017, Kunkabayev won a bronze medal in the weight class over 91 kg at the Stranja International Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, losing to Bulgarian Petar Belberov in the semi-finals. In the same year, he reached the final of the Asian Championships in Tashkent but lost to Uzbekistani boxer Bakhodir Jalolov. However, he then participated in the World Championships in Hamburg, where he took revenge by defeating Jalolov in the quarter-finals. He then reached the final, where he met two-time world champion Magomedrasul Majidov of Azerbaijan and lost in a closely contested fight, eventually becoming a silver medalist at the 2017 World Championships.
In 2019, Kunkabayev won a silver medal at the World Championships in Yekaterinburg. He defeated German boxer Nelvie Tiafack by unanimous decision in the quarter-finals and advanced to the semi-finals against Australian Justis Huni, who did not show up for the fight. However, he was defeated in the final by experienced Uzbekistani boxer Bakhodir Jalolov.
Olympic Games 2020
In 2020, Kunkabayev won a bronze medal at the Asian/Oceanian Olympic Qualifier in Amman, Jordan, thereby qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games.
In July 2021, Kunkabayev competed in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. He defeated Egyptian boxer Youssef Hafez in the round of 16 and then Russian boxer Ivan Veriasov in the quarter-finals. However, he lost to American Richard Torrez in the semi-finals, winning a bronze medal. He was awarded the state Order of Kurmet for his Olympic achievement.
Professional Career
Kunkabayev made his professional debut on August 23, 2020, in the cruiserweight division, defeating experienced compatriot Isu Akberbayev by technical knockout in the 2nd round. According to the boxer, he decided to have a couple of fights to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics and signed a contract with MTK Kazakhstan.
On February 27, 2021, in his 3rd professional fight, he defeated experienced Uzbek Server Emurlaev by retirement after the 6th round, winning the vacant WBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title.
