Home boxer Abdulkadir Abdullayev: 'Crowd gave me strength to win semi-final'

Abdulkadir Abdullayev has thanked home supporters for pushing him over the line in today's heavyweight semi-final bout against Saddam Magomedov.

The Azerbaijani boxer claimed a points victory over his Russian Federation opponent to set up a final meeting with Gevorg Manukian at the inaugural European Games.

Like this afternoon's clash at Crystal Hall, Abdullayev heads into Saturday's gold-medal final without ever having faced off against his opposite number in the past, but he remains confident that he can get the job done.

"We haven't competed before," the 26-year-old told reporters. "[Magomedov] is a good rival. It was tough, but the fight went as we planned and trained. It is always difficult until you are in the ring. The crowd gave me strength. Thanks to everybody, also to my coach and friends."

On Ukraine's Manukian, he added: "It will be our very first fight, so I am going to concentrate on him and try to be better than my rival."

Manukian defeated Josip Bepo Filipi to book his place in the heavyweight final in Baku.