European Boxing S.Z. is reopening the recruitment process for the position of Secretary General.

European Boxing Secretary General Job Description

The Executive Board is committed to identify the best possible qualified candidate to lead the organisation into its next phase of development and governance strengthening.

Applications are open until 19 March 2026 at 23:59 CET and shall be send to admin@europeanboxing.org.

The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.

The General Statistics of the Strandja Trophy Tournament

- Number of participants in the event: 338 boxers

- Number of participating countries: 31

- Number of continents in the event: 5

- The biggest delegations in the event: Kazakhstan with 39 boxers; Uzbekistan with 30 boxers; Turkey with 27 boxers; Bulgaria with 26 boxers; Ukraine with 22 boxers

- The smallest delegations in the event: Cambodia, Haiti, North Macedonia, Serbia, Sierra Leone and Switzerland with 1 boxer

- Number of weight categories: 20 (10 women, 10 men)

- Number of competition days: 7

- Number of bouts after all competition days: 318

- Number of medallist boxers: 79

- Number of medallist nations: 18

- Best boxers: Zlatislava Chukanova (BUL) and Radoslav Rosenov (BUL)

The participating nations in the Strandja Trophy Tournament

Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Czechia, Egypt, England, Georgia, Germany, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States of America, Uzbekistan and Wales

The medal standings of the Strandja Trophy Tournament

1. Uzbekistan: 7 gold – 4 silver – 6 bronze medals

2. Kazakhstan: 4-2-3

3. Ukraine: 3-3-4

4. Bulgaria: 2-1-4

5. England: 2-1-3

6. United States of America: 1-1-5

7. Kosovo: 1-0-0

8. Brazil: 0-4-1

9. Ireland: 0-1-3

10. Australia: 0-1-1

10. Azerbaijan: 0-1-1

12. Turkey: 0-1-0

13. Mongolia: 0-0-3

14. Armenia: 0-0-1

14. Egypt: 0-0-1

14. Germany: 0-0-1

14. Italy: 0-0-1

14. Romania: 0-0-1

Bulgaria’s No.1, Radoslav Rosenov remained on the top of the podium and he won a tactical final in the last competition day at the 77^th edition of the Strandja Trophy Tournament in Sofia.

The bout of the day

Bulgaria’s eight-times European Champion Radoslav Rosenov and Brazil’s World silver medallist Luiz Gabriel Oliveira have the same counter-attacking style of boxing. The Brazilian moved forward more in this 60kg final bout in comparison to his previous contests in Sofia but Rosenov had the brilliant footwork to avoid his attacks. Both had amazing defensive skills in this 60kg final bout and the host nation’s pride won this tactical game today.

The surprise of the day

United States’ Lorenzo Patricio eliminated his Mongolian opponent in the last four, which was one of the best contests in the semi-finals. The US teenager moved forward before landing his counter-attacks to score against Ukraine’s Maksym Zymenko in the final of the men’s 55kg. The Ukrainian had also the brilliant footwork in this contest to take the gold medal of the Strandja Trophy Tournament.

The Round-Up

Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota, the 2018 World silver medallist, returned to the national team in the recent months, and she advanced to the final of the women’s 48kg weight class in Sofia. The Ukrainian had a smaller opponent, Uzbekistan’s Olympian Sabina Bobokulova and she made a strong comeback in this event. Okhota was one time counted in their final bout and Bobokulova secured the first title at the Strandja this year, winning the battle of the southpaw boxers.

Ireland’s Commonwealth Games winner Michaela Walsh is one of the veterans at the women’s 57kg but she is still fast, motivated and strong to reach top results. The Irish tried to keep the distance against Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova and used her longer reach in all of the three rounds. The 10-years-younger Uzbek landed multiple combinations in the second round and her excellent rhythm delivered the second success for her nation in Sofia.

Brazil’s defending World Champion Rebeca Santos and Kosovo’s historic World medallist Donjeta Sadiku marched to the final of the women’s 60kg. Both boxers were patient in the exchanges during the first round and it was a big chess game between them to find the best angles. The smaller Brazilian was not nervous and she continued the same game play in the second round but she did not land enough punches therefore Sadiku made a surprise.

England’s Chantelle Reid and Brazil’s Viviane Pereira both amazed in the previous rounds of the Strandja Trophy Tournament. Reid, who returned to the sport after a break, reached several impressive results last year, and she looked highly confident against the South American. The English coaches built up excellent tactics and Reid followed that from the first seconds until the last moments.

Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree claimed a bronze medal at the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships and she decided to move down to the 75kg weight class. The Aussie girl eliminated Kazakhstan’s former World Champion Valentina Khalzova in the semi-finals and she repeated the same level against Uzbekistan’s Aziza Zokirova. Greentree landed nice shots but Zokirova progressed a lot in the recent one year and the Uzbek celebrated the gold medal today.

Kazakhstan’s Nadezhda Ryabets also returned to the boxing world as Valentina Khalzova and the Tokyo Olympian moved up to the 80kg weight class. The 26-year-old Kazakh and her final opponent, Yaren Duztas had similar style of boxing and in that game the more experienced Ryabets was better in all aspects. She bagged Kazakhstan’s second gold medal in the strong Strandja Trophy Tournament and she made a strong comeback to the sport.

Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova walked over to the title of the women’s 51kg after hear final opponent, Uzbekistan’s Firuza Kazakova was not able to fight against her today.

Azerbaijan’s lone finalist in the Strandja Trophy, Bilalhabasi Nazarov has just joined the elite age group but the European U19 Champion had the strong counter-attacks in the final of the 50kg. Nazarov followed the same rhythm as Kazakhstan’s former Asian silver medallist Daniyal Sabit and both invested a lot of work to win the first male final of the event. The Azeri teenager looked tired in the last round and Sabit had the routine to use this opportunity up to win the final.

Ukraine’s next finalist, Elvin Aliyev had a disadvantage on the judges’ scorecards after three minutes of fight against Brazil’s World silver medallist Yuri Falcao Reis but he turned up the heat in the second round. The Ukrainian, who won the Boxam Tournament in Spain this February, continued his winning path against an amazing opponent today.

Lavant Brownlee was member of the US U19 national team in 2025 and he quickly included to the elite squad this January. The US teenager eliminated more experienced opponents in the previous stages of the Strandja and he used his longer hands to catch Kazakhstan’s Farukh Tokhtassunov. Brownlee is a newcomer among the elite boxers but a fantastic talent and he made a debut with a gold medal in Sofia.

Uzbekistan’s defending World Champion Fazliddin Erkinboyev and Bulgaria’s European Champion Rami Kiwan met in an anticipated final at the men’s 75kg. The Bulgarian tried to work from longer distance but the 20-year-old Uzbek caught him with body shots and jabs in the corner. Erkinboyev had a massive advantage on the scorecards after two rounds and he did not make any risks in the third to earn the gold medal in Sofia.

Uzbekistan’s next reigning World Champion Javokhir Ummataliyev dictated the tempo against Ukraine’s Pavlo Illiusha and he had the advantage after two rounds. The Ukrainian was better and better every minutes and he surprisingly he turned back this 80kg final bout. Uzbekistan’s World Champion Akmaljon Isroilov controlled the exchanges against Matvii Razhba of Ukraine at the 85kg final.

Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullayev is the Asian Champion and the World Champion at the 90kg who landed the better shots than Ukraine’s Bogdan Tolmachov to earn his next title. England’s Damar Thomas had a very difficult semi-final bout at the +90kg but that increased his motivational level to take the title in Sofia. The 21-year-old English met another southpaw, Uzbekistan’s Ozodbek Aliyev but he won all of the three rounds easily today.

The quote of the day

“We spent two weeks intense training camp in the United States before the Strandja Tournament and those efforts simply paid off. The Strandja is a strong event with many good boxers, but I could manage my main goal, to earn the gold medal here,” said England’s 28-year-old Chantelle Reid in the mixed zone after the final bout.

England’s duo, Lauren Mackie and Damar Thomas amazed in the sixth competition day at the 77^th edition of the Strandja Trophy Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria and both advanced to the busy finals.

The bout of the day

Germany’s last remaining boxer, European U23 Champion Nikita Putilov is in top shape in this event after his hard preparation. Putilov shocked England’s former European Youth Champion Damar Thomas in the first round with his heavy punches and the referee counted his opponent twice. The 22-year-old German led 10:8 in all of the judging scorecards after one round but the taller English used his distance better in the second. Thomas worked hard in the last round and he made a big U-turn after the first period which means that he will be meeting Uzbekistan’s Ozodbek Aliyev in the final.

The surprise of the day

England’s Lauren Mackie claimed a silver medal at the 2022 edition of the European Youth Championships in Sofia and she returned to the Bulgarian capital as the member of the elite team. She not only advanced to the semi-finals but due to her stamina, she was able to beat United States’ favourite, Yoseline Perez at the 54kg.

The Round-Up

Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota returned to the boxing business this year and she is in top shape after a hard preparation. The former World silver medallist finished the second round with a beautiful hook and she controlled all of the three rounds against Mongolia’s young Enkh-Amgalan Nomundari therefore she earned the first final spot at the Strandja Trophy.

Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova progressed a lot in the recent two years and she was near to qualify for the Paris Olympics. The Bulgarian moved forward in the first round and she tried to overcome Armenia’s Anush Grigoryan in the attacks. Chukanova knew her experienced Armenian opponent well enough and she worked well enough to beat Grigoryan in a superb semi-final at the women’s 51kg.

Uzbekistan’s Feruza Kazakova is a multiple Asian Champion and one of the most talented women boxers at the 51kg. The 22-year-old Uzbek had longer reach than Ireland’s Caitlin Fryers and she control the first round from her best range. The Irish was not able to reduce the fighting distance effectively and Kazakova won their meeting with a technician performance.

United States’ Alyssa Mendoza and Ireland’s Michaela Walsh both were patient in the first round and they had a tactical opener at the 57kg. The US southpaw turned up the heat in the end of the second round with several tough combinations but the Commonwealth Games winner Irish responded with great counters. The taller Irish worked a lot on feet in the final round and she deserved to win this intense battle in Sofia.

Brazil’s Rebeca Santos, the defending World Champion delivered excellent performance in the previous stages of the Strandja Trophy but she had to keep her full concentration against Mongolia’s Namuun Monkhor in the semi-final of the 60kg. The Brazilian knew the weak points of her Asian opponent and she impressed once again which means that she will meet Kosovo’s Olympian Donjeta Sadiku in the final.

Uzbekistan’s next ace, the two-time Asian Champion Navbakhor Khamidova worked from counter-attacking range despite she was smaller than England’s Sacha Hickey in the semi-finals of the women’s 65kg. The 25-year-old Uzbek had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards after two rounds but the European U23 Champion did not give up this fight. Hickey is a promising boxer in this weight class but Khamidova’s routine was the decisive factor between them today.

Ukraine’s Maksym Zymenko had excellent victories last year and he began the year at the Boxam Tournament in Spain. The Ukrainian southpaw looked active in the first round and he dictated the tempo against Bulgaria’s Yasen Radev in their 55kg semi-final. The 23-year-old Bulgarian had good footwork but Zymenko landed enough jabs and hooks to win this contest in Sofia.

United States’ teenager, Lorenzo Patricio and Mongolia’s Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu invested a lot of efforts to their semi-final bout. The super talented US boy used his counter-attacking style of boxing and he was a hard target for the technician Kharkhuu today. The confident Patricio was better in the exchanges and he won one of the best contests of the entire competition day.

Brazil’s World silver medallist Luiz Gabriel Oliveira made the show against Ukraine’s Aider Abduraimov and he managed his pathway to the finals of the men’s 60kg. Bulgaria’s record-breaking European Champion Radoslav Rosenov also has done the job against England’s William Hewitt and he is a finalist in a Strandja Trophy once again. The two stars of the competition will meet each other in one of the most anticipated final contest of the entire event.

Bulgaria’s next flag bearer in the national team, the reigning European Champion Rami Kiwan was better than Romania’s Alexandru Buleu in all ranges. He felt the tempo from the first seconds against his younger opponent and he impressed in all of the three rounds. Kiwan was untouchable for the Romanian today and he secured the next final spot for the host country.

Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Erkinboyev became World Champion at the 75kg weight class at the age of 20 last September and he met another boxer from the 2005 age group, Italy’s Gabriele Guidi Rontani. The Italian was a silver medallist at the recent European U23 Boxing Championships and he tried to use the same style of boxing as Erkinboyev. The Uzbek, who kept the focus until the last seconds, was better in that game play and he advanced to the final once again.

Uzbekistan’s defending World Champion at the 80kg, Javokhir Ummataliyev worked well to beat Ukraine’s Dzhamal Kuliyev in their semi-final meeting. Uzbekistan’s 19-year-old Akmaljon Isroilov was the youngest winner in the 2025 World Boxing Championships half year ago and he looked confident against Ukraine’s Danylo Zhasan at the 85kg semi-final. The Ukrainian was a competitive opponent today but the Uzbek teenager had the strong strategy to beat Zhasan.

Ukraine’s Matvii Razhba faced with one of the new Uzbek talents in the semi-final of the 85kg, Norbek Abdullayev who had a clear pathway to the last four in Sofia. The Uzbek teenager started the bout better but Razhba switched into a higher tempo, and he felt the distance better, additionally his stamina was enough to turn back this semi-final.

The best 40 women boxers advanced to the semi-finals on the fourth competition competition day at the 77^th edition of the Strandja Trophy Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria today. England’s Lauren Mackie, Egypt’s Yomna Ayyad and Brazil’s World Champion Rebeca Santos eliminated superb rivals in these quarter-finals.

The next edition of the European Elite Boxing Championships will also take place in Sofia on September 15-26 in 2026.

The bout of the day

England’s Lauren Mackie achieved a silver medal at the 2022 European Youth Boxing Championships in Sofia and she returned to Bulgaria as an elite boxer. The 21-year-old English had a tight advantage against Ireland’s Olympian Jennifer Lehane after the first round and she had the stamina to beat her strong opponent at the women’s 54kg in one of the best contests of the day.

The surprise of the day

Egypt’s Yomna Ayyad qualified for the Paris Olympics but she is still not enough experienced in the international stage of boxing. The Egyptian had the strong will and fighting spirit in her quarter-final bout against Kazakhstan’s Asian Champion Rimma Volosenko and her hard job resulted a surprise victory for Ayyad.

The Round-Up

Germany’s Maxi Kloetzer eliminated two top rivals including Ireland’s Daina Moorehouse in the previous stages at the Strandja Trophy. The Paris Olympian met Uzbekistan’s multiple Asian Champion in various age groups, Feruza Kazakova which was a top bout at the women’s 51kg today. The German tried to repeat the same strategy as in the previous rounds but Kazakova was slightly better in the exchanges today.

Armenia’s Anush Grigoryan has more than 10 years of routine in the international elite events but she is still in full focus to reach top results. The Armenian found back to her best shape in this event and she had the technician performance to beat Serbia’s Tokyo Olympian Nina Radovanovic at the 51kg.

Ireland sent the best female team to the Strandja Trophy and their Caitlin Fryers proved its strong progress in this event. Fryers met Bulgaria’s Venelina Poptoleva in the quarter-finals of the women’s 51kg and despite her height disadvantage the Irish girl controlled the bout. Fryers was quick, fresh and she had the strong game plan to win their meeting today which means that she is also a medallist in the Bulgarian capital.

Bulgaria’s best female boxer, Zlatislava Chukanova progressed a lot in the recent two years and she opened the first round with solid performance against Ukraine’s Alona Unkovska. The experienced Bulgarian had the advantage in terms of routine, technical skills and strength therefore she managed her path to the semi-finals at the 51kg.

Following Anel Sakysh’s success, Elina Bazarova, another Kazakh female boxer shined in the women’s 54kg weight category. The former Youth World Champion was not enough shape in the first round against Turkey’s Aysen Taskin but she switched into a higher tempo in time to turn back their quarter-final bout.

Ukraine’s Elvin Aliyev started the year with a gold medal at the Boxam Elite Tournament in La Nucia and he arrived also to the Strandja to repeat that performance. The powerful Ukrainian controlled the first and dominated the second and third rounds against Turkey’s Mustafa Colak at the 65kg.

Uzbekistan’s Asian U22 Champion Abdullokh Madaminov will turn only 21 this year but he is already one of the stars at the 65kg. The young Uzbek did not land enough punches in the first round against Ireland’s Olympian Dean Clancy but he changed into a different tempo in time to beat his rival by unanimous decision.

Brazil’s brilliant Yuri Falcao Dos Reis was a silver medallist at the 2025 World Boxing Championships and he bowed out his second opponent out of his way at the Strandja Trophy as well. The Brazilian was a genius in the ring against Kazakhstan’s Ilya Kalinin in their 65kg preliminary bout and he advanced to the quarter-finals.

England’s Patrick Hewitt joined the national team only less than two years ago but he had already important triumphs in the international tournaments. The English boxer used his height advantage well against Austria’s Emin Yildiz and he had the massive advantage on the judges’ scorecards. The Austrian returned to this 70kg contest in the second but Hewitt’s final round was enough to secure the victory in this hectic preliminary.

Uzbekistan’s Shavkatjon Boltayev started his career with an Asian Schoolboy title in 2019 and he needed a few years of hard work to reach their elite squad. He represented Uzbekistan at the recent World Boxing Championships in Liverpool but he had to do his very best to beat Brazil’s newcomer Thauan Jociel Silva by split decision.

Germany has strong options at the men’s 70kg weight class and their Randy Botikali marched into the last eight in Sofia. The German was not enough punctual in the first round against Ukraine’s quick Mark Lomakin but he worked better in the second. Botikali’s pressure in the final round paid off and the German won their Round of 16 bout by 4:1 split decision.

Germany’s next boxer in the 70kg, Magomed Schachidov, the Paris Olympian, gained the control against Mongolia’s Byamba-Erdene Otgonbaatar immediately in the first round. The veteran German was smarter than the Mongolian fighter today and he also secured his place in the last eight as Randy Botikali.

Farukh Tokhtassunov is not the most famous Kazakh boxer at the 70kg where his teammate, the 19-year-old star, Torekhan Sabyrkhan is the reigning World Champion. Tokhtassunov exceeded his previous level of boxing and he had a strong advantage against Turkmenistan’s Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov after two rounds. The Asian Games bronze medallist Nurmuhammedov is their nation’s No.1, but Tokhtassunov was better today and he looked fresh.

Kazakhstan’s Ulzhan Sarsenbek was dominant as a youth boxer and she competed in one of the Olympic Qualifiers in 2024 at the age of 18. She progressed well in technical skills but United States’ Alyssa Mendoza was too experienced for her while Ireland’s Niamh Fay won a very hectic quarter-final over Uzbekistan’s Khumorabonu Mamajonova in this 57kg.

Ireland’s next boxer at the women’s 57kg, Michaela Walsh controlled all of the three rounds against Brazil’s Jessica Coutinho and she earned the next medal for their nation. Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova subdued Ukraine’s Karina Vovk and the referee stopped their unequal contest in the second round.

Brazil’s Rebeca Santos defeated Kazakhstan’s Viktoriya Grafeyeva in the semi-finals of the recent World Boxing Championships and she repeated that performance in a top bout. Mongolia’s Namuun Monkhor eliminated Uzbekistan’s former Asian Champion Sitora Turdibekova in another superb quarter-final at the 60kg.

The final part of the quarter-finals took place in the fifth competition day at the 77^th edition of the Strandja Trophy Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria today. The host Bulgarians and the Ukrainians delivered sensational victories among the European nations and both of these teams have several guaranteed medallists in Sofia.

The next edition of the European Elite Boxing Championships will also take place in Sofia on September 15-26 in 2026.

The bout of the day

Yordan Hernandez Morejon bagged a gold medal at the 2014 edition of the Youth World Boxing Championships in Sofia, representing Team Cuba. He switched to Bulgaria in the recent years and he became one of the best European super heavyweight boxers. Hernandez felt the support of the home crowd against United States’ powerful Kelvin Watts and he needed the full focus until the very end of their quarter-final to take the 3:2 split decision victory.

The surprise of the day

Ukraine’s Siyovush Mukhammadiyev competed in several international events in the recent three years and he had a fantastic game play today against a top opponent. Mongolia’s Aldarkhishig Battulga was a medallist in the last World Boxing Championships but the Ukrainian prepared well against him with strong strategy. Battulga was fast but Mukhammadiyev responded to all of his actions with perfect punches and the Ukrainian joined the last four at the 50kg.

The Round-Up

Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov is the defending Asian Champion and he had a strong game play today in the quarter-finals of the men’s 50kg. The 22-year-old Uzbek used his longer hands to catch Georgia’s Goga Topuria and he secured his place in the last four with one of his best performances.

Kazakhstan’s Daniyal Sabit claimed a silver medal at the 2021 edition of the Asian Boxing Championships at the age of 19 and he spent the recent five years to develop himself in all aspects of boxing. The Kazakh 50kg boxer controlled the first and second rounds against Turkey’s Ulas Yalcinkaya and his opponent’s ringside abandoned the fight in the third.

Ukraine’s Maksym Zymenko robbed into the world of boxing only last year with his energetic style of boxing and he demonstrated his technical skills in the quarter-finals of the 55kg in Sofia as well. The Ukrainian found the best distance against Azerbaijan’s Zidan Humbatov in the first round and he kept the control until the last gong today.

Lorenzo Patricio is one of the top talents in the United States and the teenager moved up to the 55kg with quick adaptation to the category. The 19-year-old boxer impressed first at the 2024 edition of the U19 World Boxing Championships and he proved his strong progress against one of the Uzbek talents, Samandar Olimov in the quarter-finals.

Mongolia’s Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu was born in a boxing family, his elder brothers were also medallists in the level of the Asian Championships. The youngest in the family had the strong will to join the semi-finals at the 55kg and he succeeded over one of the best Kazakh talents, Baglan Kenzhibek.  

Bulgaria’s sensation, Radoslav Rosenov set up a new record last November when he won his fourth-in-a-row title in the European U23 Boxing Championships. The Paris Olympian is one of the aces in the entire Strandja Tournament and he had the technical superiority against Mongolia’s Buyandalai Bayarkhuu at the 60kg.

Ukraine’s Aider Abduraimov achieved a gold medal at the 2022 edition of the European Youth Boxing Championships in Sofia and he returned to the city as a favourite at the 60kg. The Paris Olympian started better than Azerbaijan’s Mahammadali Ashiraliyev and he was able to keep the same strong rhythm until the last gong.

Ukraine’s Elvin Aliyev bagged the title at the Boxam Tournament in La Nucia in his opener this year and he is absolutely top shape in Bulgaria as well. His today’s challenge, Romania’s Arun Nicu Tudoroiu stopped his German rival in the Round of 16 yesterday, but he was not able to repeat that surprise success. Aliyev moved ahead without any stoppage and after the strong first round, the referee stopped their 65kg contest in the second.

Romania arrived to the Strandja Trophy with a huge delegation and their young hope, Alexandru Buleu marched into the semi-finals at the 75kg. The Romanian found Turkmenistan’s Elite National Cup winner Yhlas Bagtyyarov’s weak points in the first round and he became a medallist in Sofia.  

Bulgaria’s European Champion Rami Kiwan saved a lot of fuel today for the later actions against his younger teammate, Sami Khalil but as usual, he dominated his contest in Sofia. Another powerful Bulgarian, the current European U23 silver medallist William Cholov kept the full focus against Belgium’s Noa Hadjit to secure a guaranteed medal in the front of the home crowd.

Germany has strong traditions in the heaviest weight category and their European U23 Champion Nikita Putilov dictated the tempo against Ukraine’s Andrii Khaletskyi from the first seconds. The 22-year-old German dominated the first round with heavy punches and he stopped the Ukrainian in the second with one his remarkable performances.

The winners of the third competition day at the 77^th edition of the Strandja Memorial Tournament all advanced to the quarter-finals in Sofia, Bulgaria today.

The next edition of the European Elite Boxing Championships will also take place in Sofia on September 15-26 in 2026.

The bout of the day

Serbia’s Nina Radovanovic was a quarter-finalist boxer in the Tokyo Olympics five years ago but the veteran is still hungry to earn medals in the big events. The 32-year-old Serbian 51kg boxer made exceptional second and third rounds to beat Turkey’s Gamze Soguksu in a great preliminary contest.

The surprise of the day

Brazil’s two-time Olympian Jucielen Romeu had to fight in the Ring B almost in the same time as Coutinho in the Ring A. The Panamerican Champion Romeu did not find the fighting distance against Uzbekistan’s Khumorabonu Mamajonova and she was not able to repeat her previous technician performance therefore surprisingly the Asian boxer joined the quarter-finals of the women’s 57kg.

The Round-Up

Germany’s Maxi Kloetzer and Ireland’s Daina Moorehouse were born in the same year and they knew each other well since 2017, their youth ages. The German is usually smaller than all of her opponents but the former European Youth Champion Moorehouse has the same height. Kloetzer looked quicker in the exchanges today and her speed was the decisive factor between them in this 51kg bout.

Italy’s newcomer in the national squad, Michel Vescovini surprised Armenia’s European bronze medallist Anush Grigoryan in the first round of their 51kg meeting. The Italian moved a lot on feet and she made a good impression but Grigoryan’s routine decided their bout due to the Armenian caught her in the corners with heavy punches.

Ireland’s next 51kg female boxer, Caitlin Fryers performed better than her teammate, Daina Moorehouse and she joined the next round of the category. The Irish had a tactical first round against England’s World Championships competitor Kelsey Oakley and she delivered a great second which guaranteed her success on the scorecards.

Michaela Walsh is one of the Irish veterans in the women’s national squad with 13 years of experience as an elite international boxer. The Commonwealth Games winner destroyed Madalina Grabucea’s defence in the first round and she was stronger minutes by minutes to eliminate the younger Italian at the 57kg.

Jucielen Romeu is Brazil’s top boxer at the women’s 57kg weight class but this time a younger hopeful, Jessica Coutinho, also got the right to represent the country in a big event. The South American was a hard target for Bulgaria’s Hristea Ninova and her footwork was the difference between them today which guaranteed Coutinho’s successful opener.

England’s Elise Glynn claimed her first major title still back at the 2017 edition of the European Junior Boxing Championships. The 57kg boxer was not able to qualify for the Paris Olympics but she did not give up her dreams to compete in Los Angeles in 2028. Glynn found the best range late in her contest and Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova defeated her in a close bout.

Mongolia’s Namuun Monkhor earned her first medal, a bronze in the 2015 Junior World Boxing Championships and she joined the elite squad eight years ago. The Asian silver medallist returned to her best category, the 60kg and she proved her excellent technical skills against Turkey’s Evin Erginoguz on Day3.

Egypt’s Yomna Ayyad qualified for the Paris Olympics and she had an energetic performance against Brazil’s Rafaela Marques Silva to win that 60kg bout. Brazil’s next boxer in this weight class, the reigning World Champion Rebeca Santos dominated her second contest in Sofia over Romania’s Claudia Nechita.

Donjeta Sadiku is Kosovo’s historic World medallist and the two-time Olympian also competes in the annual Strandja Memorial Tournament. The Kosovan maintained the best fighting distance in the first round against Czechia’s Barbora Maxova and she controlled the second and third on their meeting at the 60kg.

The Welsh boxers have been preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and their No.1, Owain Harris-Allan, secured his second success at the Strandja Memorial Tournament. He claimed a bronze in the last Commonwealth Games at the age of 18 and he looked confident from the first seconds against Brazil’s Ramon Conceicao today.

Bulgaria’s superstar, Radoslav Rosenov proved his excellent technical skills once again, he met North Macedonia’s Alen Rustemovski in the Round of 16 at the men’s 60kg. The Bulgarian was untouchable once again in this contest and he delivered the second clear success in the front of the home crowd.

United States’ Salim Ellis-Bay and Armenia’s Artur Bazeyan both eliminated strong opponents in the previous preliminary round of the men’s 60kg. The US teenager had physical advantage and he landed more shots than the European U22 Champion Armenian therefore he deserved to join the quarter-finals.

Mongolia’s Buyandalai Bayarkhuu was expected an easier job against Germany’s Mohamed Siala in the Round of 16 but finally he could manage that success with the right tactics. His teammate in the same 60kg, Lundaa Gantumur was competitive only in the first round against Brazil’s World silver medallist Luiz Gabriel Oliveira.

England’s Kayla Allen won the women’s 65kg weight class at the Boxam Tournament and their European U23 Champion Sacha Hickey impressed in the same division at the Strandja Memorial on Day3. The young talent used her height advantage and longer reach effectively against Turkey’s veteran Sema Caliskan to reach the last eight in Sofia.

Belgium’s Paris Olympian Oshin Derieuw was too strong for Bulgaria’s Valeria Andreeva before Turkey’s Berfin Kabak eliminated Algeria’s Women’s World bronze medallist Ichrak Chaib at the 65kg. Brazil’s Haziel Krishna Santos eliminated Switzerland’s No.1, Anna Jenni while Ireland’s Olympian Grainne Walsh also secured her place in the last eight.

Germany’s European U23 Champion Nikita Putilov met in an anticipated +90kg contest Armenia’s World silver medallist Davit Chaloyan in the end of the evening session. The German used his best combinations in the critical moments and he advanced to the last eight such as England’s Damar Thomas, Ukraine’s Andriy Khaletskyi and Bulgaria’s Yordan Hernandez Morejon.

The 77^th edition of the Strandja Memorial Tournament continued with 57 preliminary bouts and the women boxers also joined the busy campaign. Brazil’s World Champion Rebeca Santos, Bulgaria’s Kristiyan Dimitrov, Australia’s Lekeisha Pergoliti and Kazakhstan’s Elina Bazarova all won tough contests on Day2.

The next edition of the European Elite Boxing Championships will also take place in Sofia on September 15-26 in 2026.

The bout of the day

Brazil’s Rebeca De Lima Santos replaced the Olympic silver medallist Beatriz Ferreira in the national team and she won a top event immediately, the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool last year. The 25-year-old South American faced England’s Lucy Kings-Wheatley who switched to boxing only a few years ago but she developed all of her skills to world class level. The smaller Santos had a hard job against the English girl but she managed to win this meeting in Sofia.

The surprise of the day

Austria’s first ever medallist in a World Championship, Michael Derouiche used his distance well in the first round against Bulgaria’s Kristiyan Dimitrov. The local boxer received the right instruction in his corner and he stepped into the gas from the beginning of the second round which efforts were successful in the exchanges. Dimitrov won the second and the third rounds in all of the judges’ scorecards and he eliminated one of the favourites.

The Round-Up

Germany’s Maxi Kloetzer qualified for the Paris Olympics and she was in amazing shape in the year of 2024. The 51kg boxer had several difficulties last year therefore she needed three minutes to acclimatize back to the ring. Her opponent, Gulsevar Ganiyeva of Uzbekistan won the first round but the 25-year-old German found the best tempo in time to turn back their bout.

Ireland’s Daina Moorehouse had a fantastic year as a youth boxer in 2018 but she needed five more years in the elite events to reach the level of the national squad. The Irish boxer had to do her very best in the last round to beat Mongolia’s Mungunsaran Balsan but her stamina was enough to make that happen.

Following Lozano’s tight loss, her teammate, the World silver medallist Yoseline Perez proved much better performance in the second day of boxing. The US boxer controlled all of the three rounds against Germany’s ex-kickboxer Tatjana Obermeier and Perez marched into the next stage at the women’s 54kg.

Bulgaria’s Venelina Poptoleva started her career with a gold medal at the 2013 Women’s Youth World Boxing Championships. After a few poor years, she returned to the national team four years ago and she earned already medals in top championships. The Bulgarian overcame Egypt’s Habiba Aly in the attacks and she bagged the host country’s first victory in the second day of boxing.

England’s Kelsey Oakley represented her nation at the recent World Boxing Championships half year ago and she needed three minutes to find the best tempo against Turkey’s Eda Nur Kilicci. She received the best advices in the ringside during the break and from the second round, she had the full control to beat the Turkish boxer.

Caitlin Fryers has been preparing hard for the Commonwealth Games where she is one of the favourites at the women’s 51kg weight class. The Irish girl proved her technical skills against Kazakhstan’s Anita Adisheva and the strong first and second rounds guaranteed Fryers’ clear success today.

Ireland’s next sensation, the Paris Olympian Jennifer Lehane made the show in the preliminary stage of the women’s 54kg today. She had some surprise successes last year but she is still in progressing stage, which she proved in her battle over a Welsh girl, Helen Jones today.

Kazakhstan’s Elina Bazarova claimed a gold medal at the 2022 Youth World Boxing Championships and since then she competed in several top events. The Kazakh had a strong game plan against Australia’s Olympian Monique Suraci and she used her height advantage also well enough today. Bazarova was patient in the exchanges and she landed her punches with perfect timing therefore the young Kazakh eliminated a top Australian.

Australia’s Lekeisha Pergoliti achieved a fantastic silver medal at the 2025 World Boxing Championships and she travelled more than one day to compete in the famous Strandja Memorial Tournament. The Aussie boxer moved forward against Uzbekistan’s young Oysha Toirova and her hooks were effective in most of the exchanges. Pergoliti felt the tempo, she jumped into the best distance to land her jabs and all of her efforts delivered a success for the 70kg boxer.

Kazakhstan’s Baglan Kenzhibek is a native talent in our sport and he won his opening bout in Sofia on Day1 but he did not have any chance to relax, as he had to face Uzbekistan’s Abdulaziz Abdunazarov today. Kenzhibek impressed once again and he joined the quarter-final stage of the Strandja while his teammate, Timur Kabdeshov lost to United States’ Lorenzo Patricio in the next 55kg battle.

Bulgaria’s Yasen Radev returned to the national team and the multiple European medallist used his technical skills well to keep Turkmenistan’s young Meylis Shadurdyyev in a safest distance. Radev saved fuel for the later actions in the last round but he delivered one of the best performances at the men’s 55kg.

Uzbekistan’s Akmaljon Isroilov became a gold medallist at the 2024 Youth World Boxing Championships and he immediately won the Elite World Boxing Championships in Liverpool at the age of 19. The Uzbek landed his punches with perfect timing against Ireland’s Nathan Ojo and he started his campaign well at the men’s 85kg.

Ukraine’s Danylo Zhasan made his international debut exactly 10 years ago and he is one of the aces at the men’s 85kg in this Strandja Memorial. The Ukrainian controlled the first round against Czechia’s Daniel Komarek who won his first preliminary bout in the World Boxing Championships last September. The experienced Ukrainian did not underestimate the Czech boy and he won their contest by unanimous decision.

The oldest European competition, the 77^th edition of the Strandja Memorial Tournament opened with 56 preliminary bouts in Sofia, Bulgaria today.

The President of the Bulgarian Boxing Federation, Mr. Krasimir Ininski welcomed all of the teams in the Opening Ceremony of the Strandja Memorial Tournament.

The next edition of the European Elite Boxing Championships will also take place in Sofia on September 15-26 in 2026.

The bout of the day

Brazil’s Michael Trindade is member of their national team since 2021 and he competed already in levels of boxing including the Olympic Games. The Brazilian was not enough shape in the first round against the US teenager, Lorenzo Juanito Patricio and his opponent had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards. Trindade returned to the business in the second round but the US youngster mobilized all of his remaining power to beat the Brazilian with an exceptional final period.

The surprises of the day

Ireland’s Thady Patsy Joyce earned a bronze medal at the recent World Boxing Championships and he was named as one of the favourites in the men’s 55kg weight category. The Irish boy did not find the best fighting distance against Kazakhstan’s Timur Kabdeshov and he was in trouble on the judges’ scorecards after two rounds. The 25-year-old Kazakh attacked in the last round well enough and he eliminated one of the best Irish elite male boxers in Sofia.

Bulgaria’s Roselin Bachevski competed in the 2024 Youth World Championships and the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships but the 19-year-old boxer exceeded all of the expectations on Day1. Armenia’s European silver medallist Narek Manasyan used his routine in the first round well enough but Bachevski had the stamina to turn it back with teenage enthusiasm.

The Round-Up

Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov, the defending Asian Champion, opened his campaign in the Strandja Memorial Tournament in the first bout of the entire event. The 23-year-old boxer had a competitive rival in the preliminary stage, Kazakhstan’s Bekzat Aldamzharov but he had the better punches in the exchanges.

Mongolia’s Aldarkhishig Battulga claimed a silver medal at the recent World Boxing Championships in Liverpool and he has been preparing for the upcoming Asian Championships. The Mongolian had an experienced rival as first, Bulgaria’s European silver medallist Ergyunal Sebahtin Sabri but he used his distance well enough to win their 50kg preliminary bout.

Georgia’s Gor Ayvazyan had a fantastic junior and youth career and despite his age of 20, he has already seven years of international routine. The young Georgian found the best fighting distance in the first round immediately against Turkey’s Semih Gumus and he remained dominant in all of the exchanges.

The Mongolians have been preparing hard to the upcoming Asian Boxing Championships which will be held in Ulaanbaatar on their home soil. Following Aldarkhishig Battulga’s success at the 50kg, their Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu continued their winning path after beating Ukraine’s Oleh Chulyacheyev at the 55kg.

Germany’s new 70kg boxer, Randy Botikali joined the national team only last year and he used his left-handed jabs effectively to beat Kosovo’s southpaw Shpetim Bajoku on Day1. His teammate at the 90kg, Vitalij Walter also managed to beat his first rival in Sofia, a local boy, Stoyan Petrov by points decision.

Turkmenistan’s Asian Games bronze medallist Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov achieved historic results from his country in the recent three years but he had the disadvantage on the scorecards against Egypt’s Ahmed Hekal after the first round. Turkmenistan’s No.1 stepped into the gas in time to beat the talented Egyptian and the 23-year-old marched to the next round at the men’s 70kg.

Uzbekistan’s Youth World Champion Abdulaziz Jurakulov joined the elite age group only this January but the 18-year-old talent proved his huge future potential in the first round against Kazakhstan’s Mukhammedsabyr Bazarbay Uulu. The Paris Olympian Kazakh worked better and better throughout the rounds and he had to do his very best and a great finish to beat the Uzbek teenager at the 70kg.

Azerbaijan’s Mahammadali Ashiraliyev opened the first round better than Italy’s Michele Baldassi and he had the advantages on the judges’ scorecards. The Italian caught the 19-year-old Azeri boxer in the second round with jabs but Ashiraliyev had the strong heart and fighting spirit in the third to win their tight 60kg meeting by 3:2 split decision.

Kazakhstan’s Ruslan Kuzeubayev, the former Asian Junior Champion, was more experienced than United States’ new national team member, Salim Ellis-Bay but he did not find the best weapon against the younger opponent. The US boy had excellent defensive skills and his counter-attacks guaranteed his success over a strong Asian rival.

Brazil’s Luiz Gabriel Oliveira is one of the aces in the men’s 60kg weight category and he used all of his skills against Azerbaijan’s Mahammadali Gasimzada in their meeting. The Azeri boxer was smaller and he had some powerful attacks but Oliveira controlled this preliminary bout in all of the three rounds.

Wales’ Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Owain Harris-Allan decided to continue his career in the national team and he looked so experienced in his opening bout against Turkey’s Tolga Kaya. The Welsh boy was a hard target for the Turkish boxer and his first and third rounds decided their preliminary bout at the 60kg.

Italy’s Gabriele Guidi Rontani started his international career with a silver medal at the 2022 edition of the European Youth Boxing Championships. That event was held in Sofia and the Italian returned to Bulgaria after four years as a member of the elite national team. He had some difficulties against Georgia’s Giorgi Natroshvili but his strong physical skills and strong finish decided this 70kg bout.

Italy’s next young talent in action was Christian Sarsilli, who used his technical skills and footwork to keep Turkmenistan’s Yazmyrat Babishev on long successfully. Another strong 80kg boxer, Austria’s Lucky Aimufua was better in the exchanges than Turkey’s Emre Parlak and he also secured his place in the last 16.

Radoslav Rosenov is not only Bulgaria’s star but one of the best boxers in the European continent and he bowed out of his way, his first opponent, Azerbaijan’s Taghi Nasibov today. The multiple European Champion Bulgarian had unpredictable movements and he used his tricky style of boxing to win his first bout in the Strandja Memorial.

Kazakhstan’s 19-year-old World Champion Torekhan Sabyrkhan was crowned at the Boxam Elite Tournament in La Nucia, Alicante region today after a fantastic final bout.

Altogether 90 women and 124 men boxers from 21 nations and four continents are participated for the 20 available titles in Spain’s boxing city.

The bout of the day

Kazakhstan’s Torekhan Sabyrkhan earned a gold medal at the 2024 Youth World Boxing Championships and he became the winner in Liverpool among the elites half year ago. The 19-year-old Kazakh superstar had a difficult first round against India’s Deepak in the final of the men’s 70kg but he switched his tempo in time in the beginning of the second. The Kazakh teenager tripled his efforts in the second and third rounds and the young World Champion celebrated a gold at the Boxam despite his knee injury.

The surprise of the day

Ukraine’s Pavlo Illiusha started the first round relatively slowly but he found the best range against India’s strong Ankush in the second. The Ukrainian knew how to find the weak points of the Indian boxer and he had also the heart in the second and third rounds to keep the physical level of their 80kg final bout. The referee counted Ankush in the final minute of the title contest which guaranteed Illiusha’s gold medal in La Nucia.

The Round-up

India’s Manju Rani achieved a silver medal at the 2019 Women’s World Boxing Championships as a newcomer in the national team. She is now a very experienced boxer in the international level and she started the first round better than Spain’s first female finalist, Marta Lopez Del Arbol. The Indian used her counter-attacking style of boxing in all of the three rounds and she succeeded in the first final of the day.

India’s former Youth World Champion Nitu Ghanghas used the same style of boxing as Manju Rani in her women’s 51kg final. She controlled the second India vs. Spain female title contest and the southpaw bagged a gold medal in the opening event of the year. India’s third-in-a-row gold medal was achieved by the 2021 Youth World Champion Poonam who had a tight success over her teammate, the Paris Olympian Preeti Pawar.

Thailand’s Asian Champion Punrawee Ruenros used her brilliant technical skills to keep the best distance against Netherlands’ lone finalist, Gabriella Weerheim at the 57kg. The 20-year-old Dutch girl won three contests during her road to the final bout but the two-time Olympian Ruenros was too experienced for her today. The Thai No.1 was a genius in the ring in terms of technical skills and she claimed a gold medal for her nation against a developing rival.

England’s powerful Kayla Allen has only four years of experience in the sport but she marched to the finals of the Boxam at the 65kg. The English proved against Kazakhstan’s Asian Junior Champion Nazerke Serik that she is a real fighter and she tried to use her in-fighting style in the final. The final verdict was depended on their performance in the last round when Allen was able to win the bout with great finish.

England’s newcomer Mary-Kate Smith was highly competitive to one of the stars, India’s World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain but her silver medal is also a fantastic achievement at the Boxam. Ukraine’s Raisa Piskun also showed her development in this prestigious international event, she was near to beat India’s Naina at the women’s 80kg final.

Kazakhstan’s two-time World Champions such as Sanzhar Tashkenbay and Makhmud Sabyrkhan both were highly confident in their final bouts at the 50kg and 55kg weight categories. Tashkenbay defeated a local Spanish teenager with points decision while Makhmud’s English opponent, Ellis Trowbridge was stopped by the ringside doctor.

The quote of the day

“I would like to thank for my coaches, the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, my country and sponsors to be here at the Boxam Tournament with the national team. The organizers have done a great job in this international event. I fought for my proud nation with full heart and I succeeded in Spain for the first time,” said Kazakhstan’s 19-year-old Torekhan Sabyrkhan after his final success.

One of the most exciting parts of a competition, the semi-finals featured at the Boxam Elite Tournament in La Nucia, Alicante region today. Ukraine, England and host Spain were the best countries among the European nations during the semi-finals while Kazakhstan and India impressed

Altogether 90 women and 124 men boxers from 21 nations and four continents are participating for the 20 available titles in Spain’s boxing city.

The bout of the day

Spain’s Pablo Coy recovered from his serious injury last November and he used the recent two months to reach his previous level of boxing. The local boy tried to keep Ukraine’s Pavlo Illiusha on long and he landed nice hooks in the first round to take the lead on the scorecards. The Ukrainian switched into a high rhythm in the second and he overcame Coy in the attacks several times to turn back their semi-final.

The surprise of the day

Kazakhstan’s Nurzat Ongarov returned to the Boxam Tournament as a titleholder of the competition but he suffered an unexpected loss in the semi-finals of the men’s 50kg. Spain’s teenager, Ismael Maghraoui exceeded all of the previous expectations and he won their tough semi-final bout by 4:1 split decision. The Spaniard will now meet another Kazakh boxer for the title, the two-time World Champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay. 

The Round-up

Marta Lopez del Arbol is one of the best elite female boxers in Spain with eight years of international routine and she started well against Kazakhstan’s Youth World Champion Yelyanur Turganova in the first round. The Spaniard was patient, waited for the best attacking moments and she had the massive advantage on the scorecards after two rounds. Lopez, who found back her way to the 48kg, and she managed to beat the 19-year-old Kazakh therefore she can meet for the title India’s Manju Rani.

Noelia Gutierrez was born in a boxing family and she started her career as a small child in the city of the historic Cordoba. She turned 19 a few months ago and she had an even younger opponent in the semi-finals of the 51kg, Ukraine’s Taisiia Pokusai. The Ukrainian was taller but Gutierrez had the speedy actions to win their semi-final bout today which means that the Spanish teenager will be able to test herself against India’s Nitu for the title.

Ivy-Jane Smith had an excellent junior and youth career in the 2010s and after a few years of hiatus, she returned to the national team. The English southpaw was not only active but she surprised India’s Youth World Champion Poonam in the first round with her attacking style of boxing. The 23-year-old Indian found the right tactics against Smith in the second round and she turned back their 54kg semi-final bout.

Netherlands’ Gabriella Weerheim won two contests already in the Boxam Tournament and she bowed out her third rival out of her way today. The 20-year-old Dutch was better rounds by rounds and she had the clear success over England’s Vivien Parsons therefore she will face for the gold Thailand’s Asian Champion Punrawee Ruenros at the 57kg.

Ukraine’s Tetiana Dovhal had an excellent success in the quarter-final of the women’s 60kg and she met a powerful Asian opponent, Thailand’s Thananya Somnuek in the last four today. The 21-year-old Ukrainian kept her Thai rival on long in most of the exchanges and she gave in 110% to win this incredible semi-final. She claimed a silver medal in La Nucia at the Youth World Boxing Championships and she is a finalist in a Spanish event once again.

Ukraine’s Anastasia Taran is another youngster in their national team but she was so successful in the U17 and U19 age groups. The 18-year-old boxer worked from longer distance against France’s Andrea Badin and her tactics paid off in the first and second rounds. After her solid advantage on the judges’ scorecards, she saved some fuel for the finals which will be a tough one against India’s Arundhati Choudhary.

England’s Ellis Trowbridge had two very tight contests during his road to the semi-finals of the men’s 55kg weight category. The English met one of the surprise winners of the division, Canada’s Maximus Tomines and he prepared well against the North American youngster. Trowbridge managed his bout very well, he controlled the first and seconds and he saved fuel for the upcoming final in the third.

Ukraine’s tough Elvin Aliyev amazed in the first round against Spain’s Paris Olympian Oier Ibarreche and his opponent’s ringside abandoned their semi-final at the 65kg. His teammate, the former World Champion Yuriy Zakharieiev returned to the business in top shape and he performed strongly in the first round against Kazakhstan’s Aman Konsbekov. The Ukrainian was not able to repeat that performance in the second and third rounds therefore the Kazakh eliminated him in that 75kg semi-final.

The quote of the day

“I was a bit nervous in this semi-final because I got a bye in the quarter-finals and this was my first bout in the Boxam. I have already experience to fight against Indian boxers but I know I will have a hard job tomorrow against Manju Rani. I will do my best to make my team proud,” said Spain’s Marta Lopez del Arbol after her semi-final.

The Boxam Elite Tournament continued with further 45 contests in La Nucia, Alicante region in the second day of boxing. Wales’ Rosie Eccles did not box since the Paris Olympics but she made a wonderful and successful comeback in the Boxam today. 

Altogether 90 women and 124 men boxers from 21 nations and four continents are participating for the 20 available titles in Spain’s boxing city.

 The bout of the day

England’s Ellis Trowbridge and Ukraine’s Maksym Zymenko both won international events in 2025 and they started their annual pathways at the Boxam Tournament. The English tried to keep the distance against the attacking Ukrainian and her strategy paid off in the first round of their 55kg bout. Zymenko moved forward in all of the three rounds during their 55kg preliminary but Trowbridge had the routine to handle the fight.

The surprise of the day

Canada’s Maximus Tomines is not an experienced boxer in the national team yet but he shocked Spain’s European Champion Martin Molina with his strategy. 

The Canadian had only 69 bouts during his career and this event is his first event in Europe but Molina did not find the best weapon against him. The Hamilton-based Canadian was able to keep the same rhythm until the very end of this 55kg bout and he caused the surprise of the day.

The Round-up

Spain’s Noelia Gutierrez is only 19 but she has plenty of international experience from the recent five years. The Spaniard reduced the fighting distance successfully in the first round against Kazakhstan’s Rakhmina Abdumezhitova and she dominated the second with heavy punches. Gutierrez is in strong promising stage and she performed well enough to win her preliminary bout unanimously.

France’s Mayssoun Bourega was a surprise in the national team in 2025 and she proved her further progress in preliminary of the women’s 51kg today. The young French found the best fighting range against Ukraine’s Tetiana Ostrovska in the first round and she kept her opponent on long to win this contest today.

Ukraine’s Anastasia Taran is a youngster in the elite national team, she has just moved up from the U19 squad but she was energetic today. The Ukrainian dominated the first round against Spain’s Lorena Lopez and she finished the job in the second with a stoppage at the women’s 70kg weight class.

Wales’ No.1, the Commonwealth Games winner Rosie Eccles returned to the national squad and she put two top events to the focus this year. The Boxam Tournament is part of her preparation and she landed the jabs with perfect timing in all of the three rounds to beat Spain’s Anastasiya Sokolovska.  

England’s Mary-Kate Smith began boxing only four years ago but she reached the level of the national team so quickly and she received the right to compete at the Boxam. She was in shape in her opener against Spain’s Adame Garcia and her tough combinations were decisive today in this 75kg contest.

Kazakhstan sent its best male team to the Boxam Tournament with several World Champions on the board. Their Torekhan Sabyrkhan won his opener on Day1 and another World Champion in the team, Sanzhar Tashkenbay made a strong debut on Day2. The 22-year-old Kazakh landed punches whenever he wanted and he eliminated a younger Indian opponent, Rishi Singh today.

Ukraine’s Pavlo Illiusha moved up to the 80kg weight class in the recent one year and he tried to find the best counter-attacking angles in his bout against Thailand’s Olympian Weerapon Jongjoho. The Ukrainian had excellent defensive skills in their meeting and he eliminated a top Asian opponent in the second day of boxing.

Spain’s Pablo Coy has fully recovered from his hand injury and had a quick success in the first competition day in La Nucia. The local boy did not underestimate Belgium’s Rayen Ben Othmen and he used a patient style of boxing in the first round. The Belgian landed tough punches in the second round but Coy used better defence in the third to win this quarter-final bout on home soil.

The quote of the day

“The Paris Olympics did not go well for me and I had also a serious injury after that so the last 18 months were very difficult in my life. After all these problems, I am so happy to return to the competitions and I enjoyed my first contest here in Spain. I have two big targets this year and I have just started my road on it,” said Wales’ Rosie Eccles about her successful return.

The Boxam Elite Tournament opened with 46 preliminary contests in La Nucia, Alicante region in the first day of boxing. Ukraine’s Bozorboy Matyakubov won the tightest bout of the day but Canada’s surprise winner Gabriel Aly Labrie and Luxembourg’s Benik Melkumian also had strong start on Day1.  

Altogether 90 women and 124 men boxers from 21 nations and four continents are participating for the 20 available titles in Spain’s boxing city.

The bout of the day

Ukraine’s Bozorboy Matyakubov and Scotland’s Sonny Kerr amazed all of the experts and the crowd in their preliminary bout at the men’s 70kg on Day1. Both are members of the next generations and they impressed already in the first round, landing several punches. The Scottish tried to keep the Ukrainian on long but Matyakubov had the speed to do his own game play. The Ukrainian, who was born in the Uzbek city of Urgench, had the physical skills in the third round to win the closest bout of the day.

The surprise of the day

Canada’s Gabriel Aly Labrie had only 52 contests before the start of the Boxam Tournament but he shocked his experienced opponent from Kazakhstan, Sanatali Toltayev in the first round. The Canadian was quicker in the exchanges and he looked well-motivated against a top Central Asian boxer who began his international career back in 2014. Labrie, who began boxing only in 2018, worked well enough in their entire bout to deliver the biggest surprise of the first competition day.

The Round-up

Netherlands’ Youth World bronze medallist Gabriella Weerheim is relatively small at the women’s 57kg weight class but she is an aggressive boxer with continuous attacks. She put Kazakhstan’s Shakhnaz Issayeva under pressure from the first seconds and her second and third rounds guaranteed the success against a taller opponent.

Ukraine’s Tetiana Dovhal was a silver medallist at the 2022 edition of the Youth World Boxing Championships and she returned to La Nucia with upgraded technical skills. She had a tight first and second rounds against France’s Lisa Nouiceur but the 22-year-old Ukrainian gave in everything in the third to decide their 60kg meeting.

Netherlands’ next female sensation, the Youth World Champion Maud Van der Toorn had some difficulties in the first round against Kazakhstan’s Ayazhan Yermek, a teenage hopeful in their national team. The 18-year-old Kazakh was effective in the exchanges in the first round but Van der Toorn turned up the heat in the second and she found the winning strategy in time in their 60kg bout.

Czechia’s Viktorie Jilkova is the current European U19 Champion at the women’s 65kg weight class and she joined the elite age group this January. The Czech teenager tried to use her longer reach than the Ukrainian opponent, Maryna Shevchenko and she had a tight advantage on the judges’ scorecards after one round. The referee counted the Ukrainian in the second round and the 18-year-old Czech deserved to win her first contest in La Nucia.

The ex-French boxer, Benik Melkumian finally received his new passport in Luxembourg and he travelled to the Boxam to compete against the best of the bests. Luxembourg’s new pride had a powerful opening round against Canada’s Fuzayl Rakhimov but both boxers had similar technical and tactical skills. Melkumian had the stamina in the third round to beat the Canadian and he marched to the next round at the men’s 60kg.

England’s Jack Dryden competed at the 2023 European Games and he worked hard in the recent years to reach the level of the top boxers. The English boxer kept the focus in all of the three rounds against a speedy Kazakh, Daulet Moldashev and he celebrated a tight 3:2 success over a favourite rival.

Spain’s Paris Olympian and European U22 Champion Oier Ibarreche always had tough first fights in his competitions and he was not enough shape against Belgium’s Bruxelles Capital Tournament winner Rasul Tisayev in the opener. The Spaniard was more confident from the second round but the younger Belgian was highly competitive in their preliminary contest.

The quote of the day

“We had the right strategy against the Kazakh girl, I tried to work from close distance and do my best in the corners. She looked tired at the end and I am happy to win my first contest in this strong Boxam,” said Netherlands’ Gabriella Weerheim after the contest.

The Technical Meeting of the Boxam Elite Tournament confirmed the participation of 90 women and 124 men boxers from 21 nations and four continents.

Mr. Tomas Smid of Czechia is the Technical Delegate of the new edition of the prestigious Boxam Elite Tournament in La Nucia, Spain who led the Technical Meeting and the Official Draw together with the Spanish LOC.

Spain is active in boxing map with growing business and their prestigious Boxam Elite Tournament for the women and men boxers will take place in the sport city of La Nucia, Alicante region in Spain on February 3-7.

The international pre-training has already concluded in La Nucia between January 25 and February 2 where ten nations arranged strong sparring sessions.  

The Boxam Elite Tournament will be one of the first competitions in 2026 and the Royal Spanish Boxing Federation worked hard to arrange a top quality event.

The accommodation of the International Training Camp and the Boxam is the 4-stars Melia Benidorm Hotel which is near to the famous beach and the quality of the food is world class.

The facts of the 2026 Boxam Elite Tournament

Name: Boxam Tournament

Competition Period: February 3-7

Venue: La Nucia, Spain

Gender: Women & Men

Age Group: Elite

Date of Birth of the boxers: 1986-2007 born boxers

The schedule of the 2026 Boxam Elite Tournament

February 3, 15:30 – Day1 competition

February 4, 15:30 – Day2 competition

February 5, 15:30 – Day3 competition

February 6, 15:30 – Day4 competition

February 7, 15:30 – Day5 competition with the finals

February 8 – Departures of the delegations

The boxers who need to be watched in the Boxam Elite Tournament

- Sanzhar Tashkenbay, Kazakhstan, men’s 50kg – World Champion 2-times; Asian Champion

- Makhmud Sabyrkhan, Kazakhstan, men’s 55kg – World Champion 2-times; Asian Champion

- Beksultan Boranbek, Kazakhstan, men’s 55kg – Youth World Champion

- Serik Temirzhanov, Kazakhstan, men’s 60kg – World Championships silver medallist

- Torekhan Sabyrkhan, Kazakhstan, men’s 70kg – World Champion in 2025; Youth World Champion in 2024

- Yerassyl Zhakpekov, Kazakhstan, men’s 80kg – Asian U22 Champion

- Nurbek Oralbay, Kazakhstan, men’s 85kg – World Champion

- Sagyndyk Togambay, Kazakhstan, men’s 90kg – Asian Champion

- Aibek Oralbay, Kazakhstan, men’s +90kg – World Champion; Olympic Games silver medallist; Asian Champion

- Yelyanur Turganova, Kazakhstan, women’s 48kg – Youth World Champion

- Viktoriya Baidukova, Kazakhstan, women’s 57kg – Asian U22 Champion

- Chuthamat Raksat, Thailand, women’s 51kg – Two-times World Championships bronze medallist; Asian Champion

- Natnicha Chongprongklang, Thailand, women’s 54kg – Asian Champion

- Punrawee Ruenros, Thailand, women’s 57kg – Asian Champion

- Thanarat Saengphet, Thailand, men’s 55kg – World Championships bronze medallist

- Weerapon Jongjoho, Thailand, men’s 80kg – World Championships bronze medallist

- Tetiana Dovhal, Ukraine, women’s 60kg – Youth World Championships silver medallist; European Youth Champion

- Anastasia Taran, Ukraine, women’s 70kg – European Youth Champion

- Aider Abduraimov, Ukraine, men’s 60kg – European Youth Champion

- Yuriy Zakharieiev, Ukraine, men’s 75kg – World Champion; Youth World Champion

- Dzhamal Kuliyev, Ukraine, men’s 80kg – European U23 Champion

- Nitu, India, women’s 51kg – Youth World Champion

- Poonam, India, women’s 54kg – Youth World Champion

- Arundhati Choudhary, India, women’s 70kg – Youth World Champion

- Lovlina Borgohain, India, women’s 75kg – Olympic Games bronze medallist; World Champion; Asian Champion

- Sanamacha Thokchom Chanu, India, women’s 75kg – Youth World Champion

- Mohammed Hussamuddin, India, men’s 60kg – Commonwealth Games bronze medallist

- Naman Tanwar, India, men’s 90kg – Youth World Championships bronze medallist

- Martin Molina, Spain, men’s 50kg – European Champion

- Oier Ibarreche, Spain, men’s 65kg – European U22 Champion

- Emmanuel Reyes, Spain, men’s 90kg – Olympic Games bronze medallist; World Championships bronze medallist; European Championships silver medallist

- Viktoria Penney, Canada, women’s 75kg – World Championships bronze medallist

- Kaelya Mopin, France, women’s 51kg – European Youth Champion

- Maloe Teresi, France, women’s 57kg – European U19 Champion

- Izaya Gaucher, France, men’s 55kg – European U23 Championships silver medallist

- Maud Van der Toorn, Netherlands, women’s 60kg – Youth World Champion

- Aaliyah Hoppema, Netherlands, women’s 65kg – U19 World Championships silver medallist

- Viktorie Jilkova, Czechia, women’s 65kg – European U19 Champion

- Rosie Eccles, Wales, women’s 75kg – Commonwealth Games winner; European Games bronze medallist

- Aaron Cullen, Scotland, men’s 55kg – European U23 Championships silver medallist

- Jack Dryden, England, men’s 60kg – European U23 Championships bronze medallist

- Isaac Okoh, England, men’s 90kg – European U23 Championships silver medallist

The LOC of the 2026 Boxam Elite Tournament

Royal Spanish Boxing Federation

Mr. Felipe Martinez President

Email: boxam@feboxeo.es & officemanager@feboxeo.es

Poreč, Croatia — The city of Poreč has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 U23 European Boxing Championships, set to take place from 14 to 25 November 2026.

European boxing will once again turn its eyes to the Adriatic coast as Poreč, Croatia, has been officially confirmed as the host city of the U23 European Boxing Championships, scheduled to take place from 14 to 25 November 2026.

Situated on Croatia’s Adriatic coast, Poreč is known for its modern sports facilities and experience in hosting international sporting events, making it an ideal venue for a championship of this scale.

The championship will also highlight the close collaboration between the Croatian Boxing Federation and the European Boxing leadership. This cooperation is reflected in the presence of Mr. Lars Brovil, President of European Boxing, whose support underscores the confidence placed in Croatia’s organisational capabilities and long-term vision for the sport.

The President of the Croatian Boxing Federation, Mr. Bono Bosniak, welcomed the decision, highlighting the championship as another important step in strengthening Croatia’s position within European Boxing. 

With  a vibrant host city, and strong institutional leadership, the 2026 U23 European Boxing Championships in Poreč promise to be a landmark event on the European boxing calendar—both competitively and organisationally.

European Boxing Announces Host of the 2026 Elite European Championships

European Boxing is pleased to announce that Bulgaria has been selected to host the inaugural Elite European Championships in 2026.

Following a competitive bidding process and a detailed review of all candidate submissions in line with the 2026 Bidding Guidelines, the Executive Board has confirmed Sofia, Bulgaria as the Host City for this landmark event. This will be the first-ever Elite European Championships held under European Boxing, marking an important milestone for our continental organisation.

Bulgaria presented a strong and comprehensive bid, supported by excellent facilities, proven organisational experience, and an official letter of support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. With a long history of delivering high-level international competitions — including multiple European and World Championships — Sofia offers an ideal environment to stage an event of this scale and significance.

The Championships will take place 15th – 26th September 2026, bringing together Europe’s top male and female Elite boxers to compete for continental titles in the heart of the Balkans.

As part of the announcement, the Bulgarian Boxing Federation shared the following message:

Krasimir Ininski, President of the Bulgarian Boxing Federation: “For the Bulgarian Boxing Federation, it is a great honor, privilege, and responsibility to host such a large and significant event as the 2026 European Men’s and Women’s Championships. This is a very important moment in our shared history. We thank EUROPEAN BOXING for the trust and for choosing Bulgaria to host the first Elite Championships under their leadership. Over the years, the Bulgarian Boxing Federation has proven itself as a world-class organizer. Now, however, the responsibility is even greater, because this will be the first European Championships under the auspices of EUROPEAN BOXING.”

European Boxing looks forward to working closely with the Bulgarian Boxing Federation and the Local Organising Committee to deliver a world-class championship and to welcome athletes, teams, officials, and fans to Sofia next year.

European Boxing

Uniting and elevating the sport across our continent.