Invitation Program CBF Ringside Doctor Course Zagreb 2026 V1

European Boxing is pleased to announce the organization of the 2nd European Boxing Ringside Doctor Course, which will take place in Zagreb, Croatia, on 12–13 September 2026.

The course is organized by European Boxing in cooperation with the Hrvatski Boksački Savez – Croatian Boxing Federation and will be hosted at Hotel Diplomat in Zagreb. Arrival date for participants is scheduled for 11 September 2026. 

Following the successful first edition, this educational initiative continues European Boxing’s commitment to the development of medical standards, athlete safety, and professional education within Olympic-style boxing across Europe.

The course is specifically designed for medical doctors, both experienced practitioners and newcomers, who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the role of the Ringside Doctor in boxing competitions. Participation is open exclusively to National Federations affiliated with European Boxing. 

The educational program will be led by Dr. David McDonagh, Chair of the European Boxing Medical Commission and Chair of the Norwegian Boxing Federation Medical Commission, together with Dr. Maksym Maslyanyy, Member of the European Boxing Medical Commission and Chair of the Ukraine Boxing Federation Medical Commission. The course will be coordinated by Prof. Therese Bjørnaas of the Norwegian Boxing Federation. 

The two-day program combines theoretical and practical sessions covering key medical aspects related to boxing competitions, including:

* Anti-doping procedures
* Management of cuts and facial injuries
* Concussion recognition and SCAT6 practical applications
* Down boxer practical management
* Fractures and soft tissue injuries
* Injury prevention and nutrition
* Emergency medical situations
* Return-to-boxing protocols and competition regulations

The course will conclude with both written and practical examinations, followed by the awarding of certificates to participants. 

Due to the practical nature of the course, participation is limited to 20 attendees. National Federations are kindly reminded that 31 July 2026 is the final registration deadline, and no registrations will be accepted after this date. 

European Boxing looks forward to welcoming medical professionals from across Europe to Zagreb for another important educational event focused on athlete health, safety, and medical excellence in boxing.

HOTEL PRICES

1/1 FB – 99,00 € per person : full board single room

1/2 FB – 74,00 € per person : full board double room

1/3 FB – 71,00 € per person : full board triple room

Tourist tax: 1,86 € person/night

Following the 63^rd Belgrade Winner Tournament and the Algirdas Socikas Tournament, the next elite competition in Europe will be the famous Eindhoven Box Cup.

The Technical Meeting and the Official Draw will be held this Thursday while the competition starts with its first sessions on Friday, 22^nd of May.

Boxers four out of the five continents are planning to participate in the upcoming 9^th edition of the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands. Altogether more than 200 female and male elite boxers have registered to participate in the next Eindhoven Box Cup.

The engine of the Eindhoven Box Cup is Mr. Jeremie Besson who increased the level of the competition into one of the bests in Europe.

The live scoring of the Eindhoven Box Cup will be available at the Boxerbase website: www.boxerbase.com while the strong international event also will use live streaming from all of the sessions.

The Eindhoven Box Cup will be a preparation event for the Commonwealth Games, the European Elite Boxing Championships and the Asian Games.

The strongest ever Eindhoven Box Cup was held in the Netherlands one year ago when such big stars as the Olympic Champion Abdumalik Khalokov, Finn Bos and the World Champion Turabek Khabibullaev won the male awards.

The facts of the Eindhoven Box Cup

Name: Eindhoven Box Cup

Competition Period: May 22-25

Venue: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Gender: Women & Men

Age Group: Elite

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

The weight categories of the Eindhoven Box Cup

Women’s: 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg and +80kg

Men’s: 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, +90kg

The schedule of the Eindhoven Box Cup

May 21 – Arrival of the delegations

May 21, 15:00-19:00 – Boxing Entries Check

May 21, 21:00 – Technical Meeting

May 21, 21:30 – Official Draw

May 22, 08:00-09:00 – Daily medical examination and weigh-in

May 22, 14:00 & 19:00 – Day1 competition

May 23, 14:00 & 19:00 – Day2 competition

May 24, 14:00 & 19:00 – Day3 competition

May 25, 14:00 – Day4 competition with the finals

May 26 – Departure of the delegations

Boxers who need to be watched in the Eindhoven Box Cup

- Hanna Okhota, Ukraine, women’s 48kg – Silver medallist at the 2018 Women’s World Boxing Championships

- Marta Lopez del Arbol, Spain, women’s 48kg – Bocskai Memorial Tournament winner

- Chuthamat Raksat, Thailand, women’s 51kg – Two-time bronze medallist at the Women’s World Boxing Championships; Asian Games silver medallist; Asian Champion

- Wassila Lkhadiri, France, women’s 54kg – Bronze medallist at the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships; Paris Olympian

- Gabriella Weerheim, Netherlands, women’s 54kg – Bronze medallist at the Youth World Boxing Championships

- Emma Jokiaho, Finland, women’s 54kg – Bronze medallist at the European Elite Championships

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

- Sthelyne Grosy, France, women’s 57kg – Silver medallist at the Youth World Boxing Championships

- Riza Pasuit, Philippines, women’s 57kg – Thailand Open Tournament winner; Belgrade Tournament winner

- Amina Zidani, France, women’s 57kg – European Games winner; Paris Olympian

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

- Tetiana Dovhal, Ukraine, women’s 60kg – Silver medallist at the Youth World Boxing Championships

- Thananya Somnuek, Thailand, women’ 60kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 Women’s World Boxing Championships; Asian Games bronze medallist

- Amy Broadhurst, England, women’s 65kg – World Champion

- Janjaem Suwannapheng, Thailand, women’s 65kg – Bronze medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympics; Silver medallist at the Women’s World Boxing Championships

- Aaliyah Hoppema, Netherlands, women’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 U19 World Boxing Championships

- Oshin Derieuw, Belgium, women’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the European Games; Paris Olympian

- Anastasia Chernokolenko, Ukraine, women’s 70kg – Bronze medallist at the 2014 Women’s World Boxing Championships

- Maelys Richol, France, women’s 70kg – European Youth Champion

- Viktoria Penney, Canada, women’s 75kg – Bronze medallist at the 2025 World Boxing Championships

- Davina Michel, France, women’s 75kg – Bronze medallist at the 2022 Women’s World Boxing Championships; Paris Olympian; Silver medallist at the 2023 European Games

- Patricia Mbata, Nigeria, women’s 75kg – All Africa Games winner

- Clark Vicera, Philippines, men’s 50kg – Silver medallist at the Asian U19 Championships; Belgrade Winner Tournament gold medallist

- Abdul-Rahman Burton, England, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U23 Boxing Championships

- Billal Bennama, France, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympics; European Champion; Bronze medallist at the World Boxing Championships

- Carlo Paalam, Philippines, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics; Asian Champion

- Louis Rooney, Ireland, men’s 55kg – European U23 Champion

- Yasen Radev, Bulgaria, men’s 60kg – European Youth Champion

- Thanaphansakon Kalaseeram, Thailand, men’s 60kg – Asian Junior Champion

- Aphichit Chaemdi, Thailand, men’s 60kg – Silver medallist at the U19 World Boxing Championships

- Mohamed Ounai, France, men’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U23 Boxing Championships

- Bobby Wallace, England, men’s 80kg – European U23 Champion

- William Cholov, Bulgaria, men’s 80kg – European Youth Champion

- Weerapon Jongjoho, Thailand, men’s 80kg – Bronze medallist at the 2021 World Boxing Championships; Paris Olympian

- Noa Hadjit, Belgium, men’s 80kg – Bronze medallist at the Youth World Boxing Championships        

- Junior Tadah, France, men’s 85kg – European U23 Champion

- Michael Fares Derouiche, Austria, men’s 85kg – Bronze medallist at the 2025 World Boxing Championships

- Isaac Okoh, England, men’s 90kg – World Boxing Cup Finals winner; Silver medallist at the 2024 European U23 Boxing Championships

- Victor Schelstraete, Belgium, men’s 90kg – Bronze medallist at the 2021 World Boxing Championships; Paris Olympian

- Ahmed Hagag, Austria, men’s +90kg – Bronze medallist at the 2022 European Boxing Championships

- Djamili Dini Aboudou Moindze, France, men’s +90kg – Paris Olympics bronze medallist; Bronze medallist at the 2017 European Boxing Championships

European Boxing – 2nd Ordinary Congress

The Executive Board of European Boxing has officially called for the Ordinary Congress 2026, which will take place on 7 November 2026 in Budapest.

The Congress will be hosted in close cooperation with the Hungarian Boxing Association and will bring together the National Federations of European Boxing for the organisation’s annual statutory meeting.

Further details regarding the Congress, including official documentation, agenda, timelines, and logistical information, will be distributed in due course in accordance with the European Boxing Statutes.

European Boxing looks forward to welcoming the boxing family to Budapest for this important occasion.

Bulgaria’s Ivaylo Kolev won his final bout by KO, while Croatia’s Niko Goreta defeated a European U17 Champion, Montenegro’s Matija Roganovic in the Lah Nimani U19 Tournament in Kosovo’s capital city, Prishtina.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 were eligible to participate in the Lah Nimani U19 Tournament this year. Kosovo Boxing Federation’s international event was a good test before the start of the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Mr. Lah Nimani was a legendary boxing coach in Kosovo, one of the most successful sports figures of the country during the Yugoslavian era. Mr. Fazli Hajrizi, the Professor from Mitrovica, introduced his book this year which was dedicated to Mr. Lah Nimani, the “Emblem of Eternity”.

The bout of the day

Montenegro’s European U17 Champion Matija Roganovic is a fantastic talent in our sport who has just joined the U19 age group. Montenegro’s pride won his semi-final contest in the Lah Nimani Tournament on Day1 but he had a cut during the bout which made his final more difficult. His opponent in the final was from Croatia, Niko Goreta, a one-year older boxer, with plenty of European experience therefore their title contest was the most anticipated one in Prishtina. Matija’s elder brother, Milos claimed the gold medal at the Belgrade Winner Tournament on Sunday but he had to travel back to Montenegro with only a silver this time.

The surprise of the day

Bulgaria’s Oktay Nazifov competed in the 2025 edition of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament and he is the silver medallist from their U19 Nationals. The Bulgarian faced in the final of the 50kg an Albanian boy, Mystehak Rama, and surprisingly he was not able to keep the rhythm of this bout. The Albanian was not only competitive for Nazifov but he had the stamina in the last round to beat the Bulgarian athlete in Prishtina.

The Round-up

The Kosovan organizers and the Technical Delegate of the Tournament divided the participants into two groups in several of the crowded weight categories as the 60kg, 65kg, 70kg and 80kg. Croatia’s Petar Krpan will be turning 17 only later this year but he had the skills to beat Bulgaria’s Antonio Damyanov in the Group A at the 60kg. The Croatian represented his nation at the European U17 Boxing Championships in Germany last December and he has the strong plan to compete in the European U19s in Loznica.

Kosovo’s Erjon Gashi was too smart for his teammate, Flodian Sumaj in the first round and his strength decided the final in Prishtina. Ensar Badallaj, another great Kosovan U19 pugilist, competed already in one of the European Championships during his career which was a decision making routine against Slovakia’s Kristian Bukovsky. Badallaj had the strong will to take the title on home soil and he gave in everything until his last drop of energy to make than happen.

Bulgaria’s Ivan Hristov won the Group A at the 65kg weight category after controlling his final bout over a local boy, Lindon Shala. The next top Bulgarian U19 boxer, Maksim Kirillov was the favourite of his group at the 70kg, but he had to do his very best and keep the focus until the last seconds against Riduan Gashi of Albania.

Bulgaria’s Ivaylo Kolev just missed the medal in the recent European U17 Boxing Championships where he lost his tight quarter-final bout. The Bulgarian ace joined the U19 age group this January and he increased his international routine at the Lah Nimani Tournament. Kolev landed a lethal punch in his final against Slovakia’s Samuel Greguska and he delivered a classic KO victory in the first round.

Croatia’s Juraj Turundic had a solid performance against Bulgaria’s Konstantin Damyanov and he achieved the gold medal at the busy 80kg. Croatia’s next flag bearer in the U19 team, Tomislav Japirko continued the nation’s strong commitment and tradition at the super heavyweight in Prishtina where he had a close success over Kosovo’s Luan Rrahmani.

Natalia Shadrina, Riza Pasuit, Im Ae Ji, Jovan Nikolic and Oleksandr Khyzhniak were the stars of the finals at the 63^rdBelgrade Winner Tournament in Obrenovac today.

The Belgrade Winner Tournament is one of the oldest international competitions in the entire world, next to the Strandja Memorial, the Bocskai Memorial, the Golden Gloves and the Bornemissza Tournament.

The President of World Boxing, the legendary Mr. Gennadiy Golovkin visited the finals of the Belgrade Winner Tournament together with Mr. Alimzhan Akayev and Mr. Tom Dielen.

The Belgrade Winner Tournament served the preparation for the upcoming major championships and more than 20 nations increased the level of the competition.

The bout of the day

The European Champion Jovan Nikolic and Almir Memic are Serbia’s two top boxers at the men’s 75kg who had another meeting after the National Championships. Nikolic caught his teammate near to the canvas in the first round and he had a very similar action in the second when he landed multiple shots. Nikolic invested all of his power to this final bout and he was able to keep the same rhythm until the last gong to made a revenge today.

The surprise of the day

Bulgaria’s Viktorio Iliev developed rapidly in the recent one and half year and the European U23 silver medallist started well against Armenia’s Andranik Martirosyan. The Armenian worked hard in the second part of their meeting and surprisingly he was able to turn back their men’s 65kg final.

The Round-Up

Turkey’s Nurselen Yalgettekin and Hungary’s Lilla Szeleczki met in the final of the European U23 Boxing Championships in Budapest six months ago. The Turkish boxer won that contest and she repeated that also in the first final of the 63^rdBelgrade Winner Tournament. Yalgettekin was stronger in the exchanges today and she won the first and third rounds to take the gold medal in Serbia.

Bulgaria’s best female boxer, Zlatislava Chukanova and Serbia’s veteran Nina Radovanovic advanced to the final of the women’s 51kg weight class. Chukanova moved forward from the first seconds and she tried to keep the control of this final against the returning opponent, who competed mostly in the professional world. The Bulgarian had excellent footwork in the last round and she earned the title of the Belgrade Winner Tournament with confidence.

South Korea’s Paris Olympics bronze medallist Im Ae Ji and Turkey’s Nilay Yaren Cam joined the finals of the women’s 54kg weight category. The Korean southpaw landed excellent hooks from her safest distance and stopped most of the Turkish attacks and her nine years of international routine paid off today.

Philippines’ Riza Pasuit, the Thailand Open Tournament winner veteran, moved down to the 57kg weight category and she was confident in the previous stages of the Belgrade Winner Tournament. The Filipino overcame Turkey’s young Ece Asude Ediz in the attacks and she delivered her best performance with perfect timing in the final of the event.

Italy’s three-time Olympian Irma Testa and Serbia’s European Games silver medallist Natalia Shadrina both are among Europe’s stars in women’s boxing. Testa used the Belgrade Winner Tournament as a return to the international stage and she tried to keep Shadrina on long in the first and second rounds. The local athlete jumped into the best fighting range in the beginning of the third round and she won their excellent meeting at the women’s 60kg. The Italian will move back to the 57kg after the Belgrade Winner and she will compete in that usual category in the upcoming European Elite Boxing Championships.

Turkey’s Berfin Kabak won the recent Great Silk Way Tournament in Azerbaijan last month and she had an impressive performance also in the earlier stages of the Belgrade Winner. The powerful Turkish girl met Serbia’s Anastasija Lukajic in the final of the women’s 65kg which showed tiny differences between them. The younger Turkish boxer used her amazing strength to decide their tight final bout and she bagged the second gold medal for her homeland in Obrenovac.

Two of the top Serbians as Nikolina Gajic and Milena Matovic advanced to the finals of the women’s 70kg after their semi-final triumphs. Matovic joined the international boxing business in 2011 and she is in top shape once again therefore her efforts were enough to beat Gajic today. Spain’s newcomer in the national team, Alma Garcia dominated the 75kg final over Ukraine’s Yevheniia Bondarenko and she made a strong international debut.

South Korea’s experienced Seong Su Yeon achieved the second gold medal for the Asian country after beating Turkey’s Mihriban Guneri at the 80kg. Turkey’s next finalist, the Youth World Champion and the European U19 Champion Havvanur Kethuda dominated her women’s +80kg final against Serbia’s Sara Miljkovic.

Philippines’ Clark Vicera is only 19-year-old but the Asian U19 silver medallist proved the best performance on the road to the men’s 50kg final. He used his counter-attacking style of boxing against Turkey’s Salih Samet Oruc in all of the three rounds and he deserved to win the title of the smallest male weight category.

Serbia’s Artur Nagapetian is a small boxer at the men’s 55kg weight category but he had an aggressive style of boxing in the final against Ukraine’s European Youth Champion Maksym Zymenko. Nagapetian landed several tough punches from closer distance and his right-handed hooks were uncomfortable for the Ukrainian in the first and second rounds. The Serbian boxer did not make any huge risks in the third round and he celebrated his success in the front of the home crowd.

Kazakhstan’s Nurassyl Tulebek claimed a gold medal at the 2023 Junior World Boxing Championships and the 19-year-old boxer made a strong debut among the elite boxers at the Belgrade Winner. The Kazakh teenager felt the tempo well enough from the first round and Tulebek defeated Cuba’s World Championships competitor Luis Enrique Vinent unanimously at the 60kg final.

Kazakhstan’s Youth World silver medallist Nurbek Mursal and another U23 boxer, Montenegro’s Milos Roganovic made a fantastic show in the final of the men’s 70kg, especially in the second and third rounds. Montenegro’s best weapon in the men’s national team has done enough in the final seconds to take his next title after the Vllaznia Memorial Tournament.

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak won the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the European Games and the European Championships during his career but he is still hungry for the next big title. The 31-year-old Ukrainian attacked more than 100-times in a round which was uncomfortable for his Turkish opponent, Mert Aybuga. Khyzhniak made a great comeback to the international stage and he won the men’s 80kg weight class easily.

Romania’s ex-Cuban Jorge Luis Mayeta exceeded the expectations in the final of the 85kg and he defeated Ukraine’s 10-years-older Danylo Zhasan. Cuba’s World Championships quarter-finalist Nelson Williams had a hard but successful battle against Kazakhstan’s Ibragim Betayev in the next 90kg final. Turkey’s Berat Acar won the heaviest weight class against Ukraine’s Vasyl Tkachuk in the event, which was the last bout of the entire Belgrade Winner Tournament.

Lithuania’s best male boxer, Aleksandr Trofimciuk defended his throne at the 30^th edition of the Algirdas Socikas Tournament in Kaunas but Armenia’s duo as Ruslan Aslikyan and Davit Simonyan both were brilliant in the day of the finals.

The six-time Soviet National Champion Mr. Algirdas Socikas was one of the heroes of Lithuania's boxing life in the past, who won the European Boxing Championships two-times in 1953 in Warsaw and he repeated it in 1955 in West Berlin. Lithuania’s most important elite international boxing tournament was named after their national boxing icon who earned gold medals in several other events too.

Armenia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and Tajikistan were the 13 participating nations in the Algirdas Socikas Tournament.

The bout of the day

Armenia’s Davit Simonyan had strong U19 results in the recent years and he had a relatively easy road to the finals of the men’s 90kg. He faced Scotland’s Robert McNulty for the title of the category and their meeting was named as the best fight of the final session. The young Armenian made a great finish which was still important for him to decide the bout and he defeated a fantastic Scot in Kaunas.

The surprise of the day

Another young Lithuanian talent, Vladimir Abramov, proved his impressive progress in all aspects of boxing in this Algirdas Socikas Tournament. He shined in the final of the 75kg when he landed multiple combinations and defeated Poland’s more experienced Lukasz Zygula in Kaunas.  

The Round-Up

Lithuania’s European Championships bronze medallist Ana Starovoitova delivered a small surprise in the day of the semi-finals when she eliminated Scotland’s Bocskai Memorial Tournament Niamh Mitchell who is in top shape this year. The best Lithuanian female boxer had an easier tactical job in the final of the women’s 60kg against Poland’s Wiktoria Hass and she earned the first gold medal in Kaunas.

Lithuania’s Iveta Lesinskyte competed in several international events during her career and she regained her place in the top national squad. She opened her final at the women’s 75kg weight category better than Morocco’s Salma El-Hajjami and she had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards. Lesinskyte, who has been preparing also for the European Elite Championships as Starovoitova, claimed her first tournament title in 2026.

Scotland’s Aaron Cullen, the European U23 Boxing Championships silver medallist, had two victories on the road to the finals at the men’s 55kg weight category, but he met Armenia’s Ruslan Aslikyan for the title. The Armenian is a stronger puncher and he landed his shots from all of the angles and his pressure resulted a clear success for Aslikyan over a GB Team member talent.

Lithuania’s Edgaras Skurdelis decided to continue his boxing career last year and he competed in the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool as well. The 33-year-old boxer is aiming for the Los Angeles Olympics and on that road, he earned a title at the Algirdas Socikas Tournament after beating Raimondas Trapulionis at the 60kg.

The local Lithuanian organizers had to divide the boxers at the 65kg weight class into two groups due to the high number of participants. Armenia’s Artur Mkrtchyan controlled the first final against Switzerland’s Abu Abdo Magdy while the second gold medal of this weight was achieved by Scotland’s Leo Church. The Scotsman opened the final against Lithuania’s Nedas Gudomskas with heavy shots and his opponent’s ringside abandoned the fight in the first round.

Lithuania’s best male boxer, Aleksandr Trofimciuk, not only advanced to the final of the 70kg in Group A, but he managed his next success at the Algirdas Socikas Tournament. The 24-year-old Lithuanian was stronger in the exchanges than his teammate, Donatas Rokis, and he defended his throne in this international tournament.

Lithuania’s Edgaras Trotenskis had a great finish against Finland’s Jimi Noioso and he bagged the title of Group B at the 70kg. Lithuania’s super heavyweight ace, Jonas Jazevicius stopped Sweden’s Anton Borzsei in a one-sided and quick final bout.

Switzerland’s Diego Mazzarelli had great victories in Kaunas in the previous competition days and he had great efforts also in the final of the 80kg but Lithuania’s Arvydas Dainis was still too experienced for him. Moldova’s Ilia Valigurschii claimed the next title at the Algirdas Socikas Tournament, he controlled his 85kg final against Lithuania’s Lukas Steponaitis.

Serbia’s Nikolina Gajic, Bulgaria’s Viktorio Iliev, Montenegro’s Milos Roganovic and Romania’s Jorge Luis Mayeta won the hardest semi-final battles at the 63^rd Belgrade Winner Tournament in Obrenovac on Day3.

The Belgrade Winner Tournament is one of the oldest international competitions in the entire world, next to the Strandja Memorial, the Bocskai Memorial, the Golden Gloves and the Bornemissza Tournament.

The bout of the day

Bulgaria’s European U23 silver medallist Viktorio Iliev found the tiny holes between the gloves of his opponent, Serbia’s Dmitriy Gorbenko in the first round of their 65kg semi-final. The Bulgarian controlled the opening minutes but Gorbenko also increased his tempo after the break and their bout became one of the top ones on Day3. Iliev is a member from the 2006 born age group, a youngster among the elites but he had the world-class footwork in the third round to win this contest. Iliev’s final opponent will be Armenia’s Andranik Martirosyan who had a close success over Hungary’s Milan Petriman.

The surprise of the day

Armenia’s Rafayel Hovhannisyan, the European medallist, dictated the tempo against Romania’s ex-Cuban Jorge Luis Mayeta and his continuous pressure made the bout to a real fight. The Romanian boxer found his best tempo in the second round and with a great finish, he could win their semi-final bout at the 85kg. Mayeta’s final opponent will be Ukraine’s Danylo Zhasan who won a manly battle against Kazakhstan’s Ayan Kalmaganbetov.

The Round-Up

Hungary’s Lilla Szeleczki used her own strategy to take the control against Greece’s Athina Avramidou and she had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards after three minutes. The Hungarian knocked down her Greek opponent in the second round and she finished the bout with a stoppage in the third. Szeleczki will now meet for the title of the women’s 48kg Turkey’s Nurselen Yalgettekin which will be the repeat final of the last edition of the European U23 Boxing Championships.

Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova is their best female boxer in the national team who progressed a lot in the previous two years. She has the full focus on the Los Angeles Olympics on long term and she competes in several events to increase her international experience. The Bulgarian overcame Canada’s Amber Wall in the attacks and she was able to use her best rhythm to eliminate the North American opponent. Chukanova’s final opponent at the 51kg will be Serbia’s Tokyo Olympian Nina Radovanovic who had a tight success over Hungary’s Laura Horvath.  

Turkey’s Nilay Yaren Cam looked fresh and energetic in the first round against Spain’s Claudia Alcaniz who started the semi-final of the 54kg nervously. The 19-year-old Spaniard did not find the distance and the referee counted her two-times in the opening round. The Spanish coaches decided abandon the semi-final which means that Cam will be able to meet for the title South Korea’s Paris Olympics bronze medallist Im Ae Ji.

Philippines’ veteran Riza Pasuit moved down to the 57kg and the Thailand Open Boxing Tournament winner won her next contest in the Belgrade Winner. The 33-year-old boxer had a strong performance against Greece’s Areti Stergiou in the semi-final and she can prepare the final against Turkey’s Ece Asude Ediz who eliminated Greece’s young Panagiota Kouzilou with confidence.

Serbia’s European Games silver medallist Natalia Shadrina is another veteran in our sport who is still hungry for the successes in this new Olympic cycle. The ex-Russian boxer was patient in the exchanges and she overcame Turkey’s Evin Erginoguz with strict left-handed hooks. Shadrina followed the instructions of her coaches well enough to join the final of the women’s 60kg where she will now Italy’s Irma Testa which is one of the most anticipated title contests in Belgrade.

Turkey’s Berfin Kabak had a fantastic performance at the Great Silk Way Tournament in Azerbaijan five weeks ago where she stopped most of her opponents and she claimed the title. The Turkish had a tactical first round against Serbia’s Anastasija Boskovic but she stepped into the gas in the second when she caught the local opponent. Kabak performed well in the third round and after her success, she will now meet Serbia’s Anastasija Lukajic for the gold medal of the 65kg.

South Korea’s Asian medallist Seon Su Jin and Serbia’s World bronze finisher Nikolina Gajic met in an exciting semi-final at the women’s 70kg. The South Korean moved forward and she tried to reduce the fighting distance against the taller opponent. Seon’s pressure was not enough to beat Gajic today therefore her opponent will now face with another Serbian boxer, Milena Matovic for the title.

Turkey’s Youth World Champion Havvanur Kethuda shocked Serbia’s Natalija Simic with her heavy attacks and she decided this +80kg semi-final bout within less than one minute. The 19-year-old Turkish boxer will now meet another Serbian for the title, Sara Miljkovic, who eliminated Hungary’s European U23 Champion Zsofia Szira in a tight bout.

Cuba’s Deibys Abreu was one size bigger than Serbia’s Artur Nagapetian and he tried to keep his opponent on long in the first round. Nagapetian and Abreu both invested all of their energies to The Cuban made strong efforts in the first and second rounds but he received a warning from the referee and Nagapetian’s finish was strong enough to win this crucial semi-final at the 55kg.

Kazakhstan’s Nurassyl Tulebek was Junior World Champion in 2023 and the 19-year-old boxer spends his first year among the elites. The Kazakh teenager put on several kilograms of muscles to his body in the recent one year and he dictated the strict tempo against Armenia’s Erik Arstamyan. Tulebek was more punctual in the decisive third round and he became the first finalist from Kazakhstan at the Belgrade Winner.

Montenegro’s Vllaznia Memorial Tournament winner Milos Roganovic and Serbia’s Filip Dzida both are U23 boxers and they had strong development since the last season. The 20-year-old Roganovic landed the stronger punches while the Serbian had the virtuoso style of boxing in this next spectacular bout. Their semi-final was a good promotion of boxing and the Niksic-based Roganovic became the winner and he can expect another hard battle against Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Mursal.

Serbia’s defending European Champion Jovan Nikolic had a strong semi-final opponent at the men’s 75kg, Armenia’s Marat Mikaelyan and he tried to be smarter than the Caucasian in the first round. Nikolic attacked more in the second round and his body shots were uncomfortable for the Armenian and he managed to win that semi-final.

Ukraine’s Olympic Games winner and World Champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak caught Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Shilderbay with heavy punches but his opponent also adopted the high rhythm of this semi-final. The 31-year-old Ukrainian star increased the tempo in the second round and after the standing counts, Khyzhniak’s RSC success was confirmed by the Serbian referee. 

The Technical Meeting and the Official Draw were held in the Lah Nimani U19 Tournament which is holding in Kosovo’s capital city, in Prishtina.

The Lah Nimani U19 Tournament will open with nine contests on Saturday and altogether 35 male boxers will participate in 10 weight categories in Prishtina. Montenegro’s European U17 Champion Matija Roganovic could be one of the stars of the event and he will open his campaign against Albania’s Stigi Rahmani at the 85kg on Saturday.

The Technical Delegate of the Lah Nimani U19 Tournament, Mr. Svetoslav Sapundjiev of Bulgaria, led the meeting and introduced the competition rules for the participating teams.

Mr. Latif Demolli, Kosovo’s Referee & Judge and their Secretary General, is the key engine of the Lah Nimani Memorial Tournament and all of the events in Kosovo.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the Lah Nimani U19 Tournament this year.

Kosovo Boxing Federation’s international event is a good opportunity for the U19 boxers to meet the region’s best talents and check their current skills before the main competitions such as the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Mr. Lah Nimani was a legendary boxing coach in Kosovo, one of the most successful sports figures of the country during the Yugoslavian era. Mr. Fazli Hajrizi, the Professor from Mitrovica, introduced his book this year which was dedicated to Mr. Lah Nimani, the “Emblem of Eternity”.

Kosovo joined the boxing world in 2012 and their boxers claimed some top results in the level of the Olympic Games, Women’s World Boxing Championships and European Youth Boxing Championships.

Bulgaria’s Yanko Iliev became the Best Boxer of the last edition of the Lah Nimani Youth Tournament following his success at the 55kg weight class over Albania’s Stiven Xhixhi one year ago.

Albania’s Ahmet Koci received the Best Technical Boxer Award after beating Bulgaria’s powerful Sami Khalil in the final of the 75kg weight class which was one of the strongest divisions in the entire competition in 2025.

The heroes of the Olympic Games and the recent European Games as Italy’s Irma Testa and Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak both returned with victories at the 63^rd Belgrade Winner Tournament in Obrenovac on Day2.

The Belgrade Winner Tournament is one of the oldest international competitions in the entire world, next to the Strandja Memorial, the Bocskai Memorial, the Golden Gloves and the Bornemissza Tournament.

The bout of the day

Serbia’s European Games silver medallist Natalia Shadrina and South Korea’s Asian Games winner Oh Yeon Ji met in a hectic quarter-final contest at the women’s 60kg. Both boxers were born in 1990, they have hundreds of bouts in all levels of boxing and their rhythm was also similar today. The ex-Russian Shadrina moved more ahead and she found the best attacking angles to win their top level of the quarter-final in Belgrade.

The surprise of the day

Turkey’s Ece Asude Ediz competed in the European U23 Boxing Championships, the Islamic Solidarity Games and also at the Strandja Memorial Tournament but she was not the favourite against Serbia’s Jelena Zekic. The Turkish girl exceeded the expectations with her stamina and due to her impressive finish, she was able to win their 57kg quarter-final.

The Round-Up

Spain’s Boxam Tournament winner Mariana Soto was not only taller than Greece’s Ioanna Martini, but she had the advantage in speed and strength as well. The referee counted the Greek girl in the first round and the Spaniard had the massive advantage on the judges’ scorecards. Martini moved forward a lot but Soto’s footwork was world-class today and she eliminated her Greek rival by large margin of difference at the women’s 65kg.

Serbia’s Anastasija Boskovic is a young talent in the national team who has been focusing to the upcoming major championships. The Serbian used her height advantage against Greece’s Despoina Makri in the first round of their 65kg fight and she tried to keep her opponent on long. Boskovic felt the distance in all of the three rounds and she advanced to the semi-finals of the Belgrade Winner Tournament.

Philippines’ Paul Julyfer Bascon eliminated a Hungarian opponent on Day1 while his quarter-final challenge, Spain’s Carlos Bernad had a RSC success yesterday. The Filipino increased his tempo in comparison to the first bout and he found the best distance in the first round to beat his Spanish opponent at the men’s 60kg.

Serbia’s Tokyo Olympics quarter-finalist Nina Radovanovic is one of the best 51kg boxers in Europe with plenty of experiences from the major championships. She was a hard target for the Turkish boxer in all of the three rounds and Kilicci was counted in the closing period therefore Radovanovic managed her pathway to the semi-finals on home soil.

Serbia’s Dmitry Gorbenko is one of the aces in the men’s national team and he used his excellent hooks to stop Saudi Arabia’s Mousa Alhawsaw. The Serbian boxer liked the fighting style in their quarter-final bout which was approved by the Saudi but Gorbenko was better in that games. Alhawsaw proved his strong development, he was competitive today but Gorbenko had the routine to handle the Saudi pugilist.

Bulgaria’s European U23 Championships silver medallist Viktorio Iliev is better and better from competition to competitions. The young talent was confident against Turkey’s Yigit Us and he controlled most of the exchanges in their quarter-final. Iliev is now a guaranteed medallist in Belgrade but he arrived to the event to take the gold medal of the men’s 65kg.

Philippines’ Riza Pasuit moved down to the 57kg weight class in the recent months and the Thailand Open Tournament winner was too experienced for Canada’s Development Team member, Victoria Vergos. The Filipino has been preparing for the Asian Games and she proved her medal potential on that event with her today’s performance.

Serbia’s Filip Dzida proved his impressive progress in the 2024 edition of the European U23 Championships and since then he also increased his level of boxing. Dzida had great technical skills, nice knowledge about the defence of the sport and he looked confident against Romania’s Daniel Grigorie. The Serbian gained the control in the first round and he kept that with full concentration until the last gong.

Italy’s No.1, the Olympic medallist and European Games winner Irma Testa is back on track, he returned after more than one and half year of break to the competitions. The Italian had some difficulties in the first round against Turkey’s Esmanur Lok but she found the distance in time to turn back their quarter-final at the women’s 60kg. Testa enjoyed her official comeback to the international events and she is looking forward her semi-final in Belgrade.

Montenegro’s Paris Olympian and multiple European Champion Bojana Gojkovic usually competes at the 57kg but she decided to participate at the 60kg in Belgrade this time. The Montenegrin had an impressive first round against Ukraine’s Anhelina Nekrasova and she was better in all aspects of boxing today.

Serbia’s Nikolina Gajic, the World bronze medallist, had a hard job against Greece’s Elisavet Konstantinidou but she had the right tactical responses in time to beat her rival at the women’s 70kg. South Korea’s Seon Su Jin, Ukraine’s Anastasia Taran and Serbia’s experienced Milena Matovic all won their quarter-final bouts by RSCs in his weight category.

Serbia’s Jovan Nikolic, the defending European Champion, opened his campaign at the men’s 75kg weight class in the second day of boxing and he had a well-talented 19-year-old Hungarian opponent, Sandor Varadi. The Hungarian teenager has just moved down to this weight category and he was competitive but Nikolic had the routine and the strength to win this quarter-final bout.

Ukraine’s Olympic Champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak had a rest after Paris and he decided to return in the Belgrade Winner Tournament. The 31-year-old Ukrainian used the same style of boxing as in the last decade and his pressure was too much for Turkey’s Emre Parlak in their quarter-final at the 80kg. He caught his Turkish opponent with heavy punches and he finished the job in the third round when the referee stopped the bout.

Kazakhstan’s Nurzat Ongarov has just won the Temirov U23 Tournament in his homeland but the Taraz-based boxer was ready to his next challenge in Belgrade immediately. The 20-year-old boxer proved his strong potential against Italy’s Alessio Camiolo, dominating all of the three rounds at the men’s 50kg.

Serbia’s Ljubisa Staletovic moved back to the 50kg and he had the enthusiastic performance to beat Ukraine’s Ruslan Bednychenko in the quarter-final. His teammate, the more experienced Artur Nagapetian was unstoppable for another Ukrainian, Oleksandr Zvieriev at the men’s 55kg today.  

The 30^th edition of the Algirdas Socikas Tournament saw several great moments in Lithuania’s second biggest city in Kaunas on Day1. The Scottish team made a clean sweep in the day while Switzerland’s Diego Mazzarelli and Lithuania’s veteran Edgaras Skurdelis had the strong successes in their debuts.

The six-time Soviet National Champion Mr. Algirdas Socikas was one of the heroes of Lithuania's boxing life in the past, who won the European Boxing Championships two-times in 1953 in Warsaw and he repeated it in 1955 in West Berlin. Lithuania’s most important elite international boxing tournament was named after their national boxing icon who earned gold medals in several other events too.

Armenia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and Tajikistan are the 13 participating nations in the Algirdas Socikas Tournament.

The bout of the day

Scotland has excellent options in the men’s 70kg weight class, their Sonny Kerr is member of the GB while Taylor McMahon is also in promising stage. The second competes at the Algirdas Socikas Tournament and he prepared well against Armenia’s big puncher, Yura Bablumyan with great strategy. McMahon followed that tactical pathway and he eliminated a top opponent winning the bout by 4:1 split decision.

The surprise of the day

Switzerland sent a huge delegation to the Algirdas Socikas Tournament and two of their boxers exceeded the expectations in Kaunas on Day1. Alpha Kaser eliminated Germany’s Sebastien Culcay at the men’s 75kg weight class but Diego Mazzarelli delivered their best performance in the opener. Mazzarelli surprised a more experienced athlete in the first round of the 80kg, Moldova’s Valeriu Razmerita and he earned a well-deserved success.

The Round-Up

Scotland’s Niamh Mitchell, their former European Junior Champion, impressed in the Bocskai Memorial Tournament and the Gee Bee this year and she continued her active preparation at the Algirdas Socikas. The Scottish girl used her nice technical skills and patient style of boxing to beat Lithuania’s Ugne Vasiliauskaite in the women’s 60kg weight category with confidence.

Scotland’s Aaron Cullen, the European U23 Boxing Championships silver medallist, is member of Team GB but he focuses to the Commonwealth Games this year. The Scotsman controlled the first round against Switzerland’s Ajesch Ganesamoorthy and he had the advantages in routine and speed to win their 55kg contest with significant difference.

Lithuania’s Edgaras Skurdelis is one of the most experienced boxers in whole Europe, he started his international boxing career still back in 2008. The 33-year-old athlete competed in all levels of boxing excluding the Olympic Games and Los Angeles 2028 is on his focus. Skurdelis is able to keep his weight at 60kg and he had the better punches and the strength to beat Moldova’s Vladimir Melenciuc.

Moldova’s Anton Lehcun is not enough experienced in the international stage yet but he had the outstanding performance to beat Poland’s Tymur Tseben at the men’s 70kg weight class. Lukasz Zygula won the next Poland vs. Moldova battle in Kaunas, he controlled all of the three rounds in their meeting at the 75kg.

Finland’s Aapo Lehtonen had a close success against Lithuania’s Pijus Valiokas at the 80kg weight class which was a strong start for the youngster. Armenia’s Davit Simonyan had strong U19 results in the recent years and he demonstrated his strength against Switzerland’s Jordan Guzzo which delivered a quick stoppage at the 90kg.

Scotland’s next ace, Robert McNulty controlled all of the three rounds against Estonia’s Leon Karmas in the next 90kg bout of the day and he finished the session with perfect results for his nation. Lithuania’s Jonas Jazevicius, the multiple National Champion and international tournament winner, was too strong for Germany’s Ivan Bybliuk at the +90kg.

Next to the 63^rd Belgrade Winner Tournament, the Algirdas Socikas Tournament is also an international elite event this week. The prestigious 30^th Algirdas Socikas Tournament will be held in Lithuania’s second biggest city in Kaunas on May 14-16.

The six-time Soviet National Champion Mr. Algirdas Socikas was one of the heroes of Lithuania's boxing life in the past, who won the European Boxing Championships two-times in 1953 in Warsaw and he repeated it in 1955 in West Berlin. Lithuania’s most important elite international boxing tournament was named after their national boxing icon who earned gold medals in several other events too.

Armenia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and Tajikistan are the 13 participating nations in the Algirdas Socikas Tournament.

The Opening Ceremony of the competition will start at 4pm on May 14 which will follows the first session in Kaunas. The finals are scheduled to take place in the evening of May 16.

Altogether 84 boxers participated in the 29^th edition of the Algirdas Socikas Tournament in one female and ten male weight categories in Kaunas one year ago.

Lithuania’s former European Junior silver medallist Aleksandr Trofimciuk was too smart for Turkey’s Faruk Gurkan Dalgic at the 70kg final bout making the local fans proud and he delivered the best performance in the 2025 edition. He will return to Kaunas to defend his throne while his veteran teammate, Edgaras Skurdelis is also member of the host nation’s team.

The facts of the Algirdas Socikas Tournament

Name: Algirdas Socikas Tournament

Competition Period: May 14-16

Venue: Kaunas, Lithuania

Gender: Women & Men

Age Group: Elite

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

The weight categories of the Algirdas Socikas Tournament

Women’s: 60kg and 75kg

Men’s: 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, +90kg

The schedule of the Algirdas Socikas Tournament

May 13 – Arrival of the delegations

May 13, 20:00 – Technical Meeting

May 14, 07:00-09:00 – Medical examination and weigh-in

May 14, 10:00 – Official Draw

May 14, 16:00 – Opening Ceremony

May 14, 16:30 – Day1 competition

May 15, 16:00 – Day2 competition

May 16, 18:00 – Day3 competition

May 17 – Departure of the delegations

Boxers who need to be watched in the Algirdas Socikas Tournament

- Ana Starovoitova, Lithuania, women’s 60kg – European Championships bronze medallist

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

- Ruslan Aslikyan, Armenia, men’s 55kg – European U23 Championships silver medallist

- Edgaras Skurdelis, Lithuania, men’s 60kg – World Championships quarter-finalist

- Nikolajs Zamjatins, Latvia, men’s 65kg – U19 World Championships quarter-finalist

- Aleksandr Trofimciuk, Lithuania, men’s 70kg – European Junior Championships silver medallist

- Alan Perrie, Scotland, men’s 80kg – European U23 Championships bronze medallist

- Davit Simonyan, Armenia, men’s 90kg – European Youth Championships silver medallist

- Jonas Jazevicius, Lithuania, men’s +90kg – multiple National Champion

Philippines’ Clark Vicera, Turkey’s Refik Kartal, Armenia’s Vagharshak Keyan and Canada’s Amber Wall won the best contests in the opening day of the 63^rd Belgrade Winner Tournament in Serbia on Day1.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Philippines, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales are the 25 participating nations in the Belgrade Winner Tournament this year.

The Belgrade Winner Tournament is a perfect preparation option for the main goals of the year such as the European Elite Boxing Championships which will take place in Sofia this September, the Commonwealth Games, the Panamerican Boxing Championships and the Asian Games.

The bout of the day

Philippines has a huge tradition in the smallest male weight category and they have three strong options at the men’s 50kg. The 19-year-old Clark Vicera received the right to compete at the Belgrade Winner Tournament and she was a hard target for Kazakhstan’s Youth World bronze medallist Dias Berikbay today. The Kazakh forward from the first seconds, while Vicera worked from longer distance in their meeting and his effective combinations guaranteed a success for the Filipino teenager.

The surprise of the day

South Korea’s Bak Cho Rong is member of the national team since 2014 and she claimed medals already in top events as the Asian Boxing Championships as well. The veteran Korean has been preparing to the Asian Games and the Belgrade Winner Tournament is a perfect stoppage for her on that road. Bak was patient against Canada’s Amber Wall but she did not land enough shots in the contest and the North American newcomer had the advantage on the scorecards after two rounds. Wall has only 48 bouts during her career and the Belgrade Winner is just an international debut but she eliminated a well-experienced rival.

The Round-Up

Turkey’s Salih Samet Oruc had a strong start in the Belgrade Winner Tournament’s opening bout and his aggressive style of boxing delivered for him a success against Bulgaria’s European medallist Ergyunal Sebahtin Sabri at the men’s 50kg. Bulgaria’s next boxer in action, Zlatislava Chukanova, was more successful in her opener, she eliminated Ukraine’s taller Taisiia Pokusai at the women’s 51kg.

Hungary’s twin sisters, Laura and Karmen Horvath switched their weight categories in the recent weeks and both opened their campaigns in Belgrade on Day1. Laura eliminated Wales’ tall Niamh Brookes at the 51kg, while Karmen started the first round with impressive hooks against Spain’s 19-year-old Claudia Alcaniz. The Spaniard was nervous in the first round but after that she calmed down, and Alcaniz turned back their contest at the women’s 54kg weight class.

South Korea’s Olympics bronze medallist Im Ae Ji has nine years of international experience and she demonstrated that advantage against Ukraine’s Maria Mandziuk. Im had the speed advantage on their women’s 54kg meeting and she felt the best fighting range from the first seconds. The 27-year-old South Korean controlled all of the three rounds today and she managed her pathway to the semi-finals in Belgrade.

Turkey’s Nilay Yaren Cam eliminated her Greek opponent, Maria Virgetaki with excellent performance in the women’s 54kg weight class, continuing her great season in Belgrade. The next Turkish boxer, who succeeded, Ece Asude Ediz was stronger in the exchanges than Spain’s Andrea Cardenas at the women’s 57kg.

Canada’s Victoria Vergos is a member of their Development Team and she enjoys her participation the Belgrade Winner Tournament. The Canadian has 55 bouts, mostly in the national level, but he opened the first round against Spain’s Andrea Cardenas with confidence. The Canadian, who is No.2 in her homeland, controlled the bout in all of the three rounds and she earned a well-deserved success at the 57kg.

Italy’s Karol Cristian Harpula had great U17 and U19 international results in the recent years and he is now member of their elite squad as well. The young Italian waited for the best attacking angles against Ukraine’s Danylo Kryzhanskyi and he had some unexpected punches from various ranges. The Italian celebrated the success after the confirmation of the bout and he marched to the quarter-finals at the busy men’s 70kg.

Montenegro’s Milos Roganovic, the winner of the recent Vllaznia Memorial Tournament in Albania, had a technician performance against Turkey’s Cem Kaya and he advanced to the quarter-finals at the men’s 70kg. Romania’s Daniel Grigorie was confident against Saudi Arabia’s Nayif Almowalad and he also joined the quarter-finals.

Turkey’s Refik Kartal shocked Cuba’s National Champion Jorge Cuellar in the first round with a heavy punch and the referee counted the Caribbean boxer. The Turkish athlete worked from longer distance in the second round, he tried to be smarter than the attacking Cuellar in their 70kg bout. The Cuban made more risks in the third round but the Turkish worked well with full focus to eliminate Cuellar in a superb preliminary bout.

Kazakhstan’s Beksultan Boranbek, the Youth World Champion, had some difficult moments in the first round due Armenia’s Vagharshak Keyan was never stopped attacking. The 19-year-old Kazakh was quicker and technically better than the Armenian but Keyan had the strength to eliminate those differences. Keyan finished the bout with heavier punches and he defeated one of the favourites at the men’s 55kg weight class.

Ukraine’s European Youth Champion Maksym Zymenko had a great start in the Belgrade Winner Tournament against a local boxer at the 55kg. The Ukrainian southpaw used his longer hands well against Serbia’s experienced Omer Ametovic and he won their meeting by unanimous decision. Hungary’s experienced Istvan Szaka also joined the quarter-finals after beating Canada’s Karan Sembhi today.

Philippines’ Paul Julyfer Bascon had a difficult first round against Hungary’s former European Junior Champion Levente Olah but he switched his tempo after the break. The Filipino found also his best rhythm in time to win their 60kg bout and his exceptional last round guaranteed a success for him. Cuba’s southpaw, Luis Enrique Vinent was also outstanding in this weight class, he triumphed over Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Mihajlo Djekic.

More than 200 boxers from 25 nations have registered to the upcoming 63^rd Belgrade Winner Tournament which will be Serbia’s biggest boxing show on May 14-17.

The Serbian Boxing Federation is planning a strong comeback to the international map with their upcoming 63^rdBelgrade Winner Tournament where top nations will take part for the medals and prizes.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Philippines, Romania, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales are the 25 participating nations in the Belgrade Winner Tournament this year.

The Belgrade Winner Tournament is one of the oldest international competitions in the entire world, next to the Strandja Memorial, the Bocskai Memorial, the Golden Gloves and the Bornemissza Tournament.

The women boxers will be able to compete in 10 categories in Belgrade: 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg and +80kg.

The men athletes also will have 10 different weight classes at the Belgrade Winner Tournament: 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg and +90kg.

The Belgrade Winner Tournament is a perfect preparation option for the main goals of the year such as the European Elite Boxing Championships which will take place in Sofia this September, the Commonwealth Games, the Panamerican Boxing Championships and the Asian Games.

Several of the Olympic Champions, World Champions and European gold medallists competed in the previous decades at the Belgrade Winner Tournament which has a bright history from the past.

The facts of the Belgrade Winner Tournament

Name: Belgrade Winner Tournament

Competition Period: May 14-17

Venue: Belgrade, Serbia

Gender: Women & Men

Age Group: Elite

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

The weight categories of the Belgrade Winner Tournament

Women’s: 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg and +80kg

Men’s: 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, +90kg

The schedule of the Belgrade Winner Tournament

May 12-13 – Arrival of the delegations

May 13 – Technical Meeting & Official Draw

May 14 – Day1 competition

May 15 – Day2 competition

May 16 – Day3 competition

May 17 – Day4 competition

May 18 – Departure of the delegations

Boxers who need to be watched in the Belgrade Winner Tournament

- Nurselen Yalgettekin, Turkey, women’s 48kg – European U23 Champion

- Aira Villegas, Philippines, women’s 51kg – Paris Olympics bronze medallist

- Laura Fuertes, Spain, women’s 51kg – Bronze medallist at the Women’s World Championships

- Im Ae Ji, South Korea, women’s 54kg – Paris Olympics bronze medallist

- Bojana Gojkovic, Montenegro, women’s 57kg – Multiple European Champion

- Irma Testa, Italy, women’s 60kg – Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist; European Games winner; World Champion

- Oh Yeon Ji, South Korea, women’s 60kg – Asian Games winner; multiple Asian Champion

- Natalia Shadrina, Serbia, women’s 60kg – European Games silver medallist

- Anastasija Lukajic, Serbia, women’s 65kg – Women’s World Championships bronze medallist

- Rosie Eccles, Wales, women’s 70kg – Commonwealth Games winner

- Nikolina Gajic, Serbia, women’s 70kg – Women’s World Championships bronze medallist

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

- Havvanur Kethuda, Turkey, women’s +80kg – Youth World Champion

- Zsofia Szira, Hungary, women’s +80kg – European U23 Champion

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

- Ergyunal Sebahtin Sabri, Bulgaria, men’s 50kg – European Championships silver medallist

- Carlo Paalam, Philippines, men’s 55kg – Tokyo Olympics silver medallist

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

- Viktorio Iliev, Bulgaria, men’s 65kg – European U23 Championships silver medallist

- Nurbek Mursal, Kazakhstan, men’s 70kg – Youth World Championships silver medallist

- Jovan Nikolic, Serbia, men’s 75kg – European Champion

- Sanzhar-Ali Begaliyev, Kazakhstan, men’s 75kg – Youth World Champion

- Daniel Pitt, Wales, men’s 80kg – U19 World Champion

- Rastko Simic, Serbia, men’s 80kg – European Championships silver medallist

- Rafayel Hovhannisyan, Armenia, men’s 85kg – European Championships silver medallist

- Temirlan Mukatayev, Kazakhstan, men’s 85kg – Asian U22 Champion

- Fernando Arzola, Cuba, men’s +90kg – World Championships silver medallist

Jennie Andersson, Eliar Kolomoichenko, Janette Vilen and Mitja Hellen all kept the gold medals of the Pirkka Tournament on home soil in the city of Tampere.

The city of Tampere is the host of the Pirkka Tournament this May but the local Tampere Boxing Association will arrange the famous Tammer Tournament for the elite women and men boxers later this year.

Tampere hosted the 1993 edition of the Men’s World Boxing Championships and also the European Boxing Championships in the year of 2000.

Boxers from the U19, U17, U15 and U13 age groups were eligible to participate in the Pirkka Tournament this year.

The bout of the day

The 16-year-old Jennie Andersson won the recent TUL Tournament in Finland two months ago and the local U17 boxer continued her winning path in Tampere as well. She had a strong start against Neea Pietilae and she had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards after the first round. Andersson still controlled the second period but Pietilae made a fantastic comeback in the third round with heavy punches. Andersson was tired in the final two minutes but she could keep the victory in this tight 63kg final bout.

The surprise of the day

Finland’s Eliar Kolomoichenko achieved a silver medal at the Nordic Boxing Championships this March and after that event, he moved back to the 65kg weight class. Finland’s U19 boxer had a tough and experienced Norwegian rival in the final of the Pirkka Tournament, Rene Alejandro Myhre and he managed to win that close bout by split decision.

The Round-up

Janette Vilen, the participant in the recent European U19 Boxing Championships in Ostrava, eliminated Helmi Tikkanen in the semi-finals of the women’s 54kg weight class on Day1. The 18-year-old talent, Finland’s No.1 in the U19 age group, had some difficulties in the first round of the final against Ida Tapaninen, but she stepped into the gas in the second. Vilen looked more confident after the first break and she earned the gold medal of the Pirkka Tournament.

Norway sent a strong team to the Pirkka Tournament and their Linda Aelia Farah had the full focus during her final to take the title of the women’s 57kg. The Norwegian controlled the second and third rounds well enough to beat Finland’s Vilja Kilpi therefore she became the next winner in the U19 age group. Farah is aiming for a place in the national team to represent Norway in the upcoming top U19 competitions.

Vilde Elisabeth Nostdahl is another Norwegian U19 talent who had strong motivation in the Pirkka Tournament to show her upgraded technical skills. The Norwegian boxer won all of the three rounds against Finland’s Riga Ladies Boxing Cup bronze medallist Jenny Westman and she earned the title of the 60kg.

Estonia’s U15 Champion Rolan Sigajev proved in the Pirkka Tournament but he is not only a talented boxer but he has the strong heart to win close bouts as well. The U15 boxer eliminated Fajer Ghazali in the semi-finals of the 48kg weight class and he continued the same attacking style of the boxing against Dominic Nurmi of Finland. The referee counted Nurmi in the second round which guaranteed Sigajev’s gold medal in Tampere.

The Welsh U19 boxers shined in the 60kg weight category at the U19 age group as two of their talents claimed the titles. The local organizers had to divide the participants of the 60kg into groups due to the high number of participants in Tampere. Firstly, Shane McIntyre was slightly better than Sweden’s Ruohin Isak Abdul-Wahab, secondly, the next Welsh boy, Kian Thomas was too smart for Finland’s Oliver Viikari.

Arto Zelenski, Veini Hintzell, Amos Tuomainen, Alvar Nikula and Mitja Hellen all won tight U19 finals in Tampere and kept the gold medals of their divisions on home soil. Hellen defeated Ramses Upshaw in the last final of the Pirkka Tournament despite that he was exhausted in the third round.

Eighteen final contests took place at the Akaki Kakauridze U19 Boxing Tournament in the city of Kutaisi, Georgia over the weekend where Banuchichak Nasirli, Andrea Buelga, Davit Mkhetsadze, Shalva Beridze, Akhmadi Arvaz and Safdar Mammadzada all won the titles.

Altogether 26 female and 150 male boxers competed the Akaki Kakauridze U19 Youth Tournament in Georgia.

The boxers from the 2008 and 2009 born age groups were eligible to participate in the Akaki Kakauridze U19 Youth Tournament in Georgia.

The event will be a perfect preparation event for the upcoming U19 World Boxing Championships which is scheduled to take place in Budva, Montenegro on October 13-28.

The bout of the day

Davit Mkhetsadze won the Georgian U19 National Championships this February and he prepared hard to this Kakauridze Tournament where he could fight in the front of his family and fans. Mkhetsadze lives and trains in Kutaisi and he used the familiar environment to take the title of the men’s 80kg in this strong U19 event. The Georgian boxer had a very hard job against Armenia’s European Youth Champion Samvel Siramargyan but he could share his power well to win this difficult final bout.

The surprise of the day

Romania’s European Junior bronze medallist Denis Cucu won several international events in the recent one year and he was the main favourite for the title at the super heavyweight. The 18-year-old Romanian has high goals in 2026 and he performed also well in the final but Azerbaijan’s Safdar Mammadzada had the great last round to win their title contest by 3:2 split decision.

The Round-up

Azerbaijan’s Banuchichak Nasirli, the European U19 silver medallist, had a quick success in the semi-finals of the women’s 48kg and she faced another Georgian girl, Liza Kokosadze for the title of the Kakauridze Tournament. The 18-year-old Azeri proved her strength once again and the referee stopped the unequal final bout still in the first round.

Spain’s Andrea Buelga Garcia joined the U19 age group this January and she had a superb start in the youth competitions. The Spaniard controlled her semi-final bout well enough and she had a massive opening round against Georgia’s Sopho Gigauri at the women’s 51kg. The 17-year-old Spanish felt that she is the stronger while the Georgian ringside abandoned the bout in the second round.

Lithuania’s European Junior medallist Jelizaveta Jakimova not only advanced to the final of the Kakauridze Tournament but she had the strong motivation to take the title of the women’s 57kg. The 18-year-old Lithuanian started the first round better than Georgia’s Nino Bekauri and she was able to keep the full control until the end of the contest.

Georgia’s Lika Bukia was born in a boxing family and she had the outstanding performance to beat her teammate, Lilie Sagrishvili in the final of the women’s 60kg. Nini Malania (65kg) and Gvantsa Berulava (+80kg) claimed two further gold medals for the Georgians in the women’s part of the Kakauridze Tournament.

Kyrgyzstan sent a promising female team to the event and their Asian U19 bronze medallist Zarina Asanova caused a small surprise in the day of the semi-finals. The 18-year-old boxer had the comfortable advantage on the judges’ scorecards against Georgia’s Anzhela Momtselidze after the first round and she bagged an important title for Kyrgyzstan.

Georgia’s Shalva Beridze is one of the highest hopes of the host country in this age group despite that the 17-year-old boxer is still new among the U19 boxers. The Tbilisi-based boxer used his excellent reach to keep his final opponent, Armenia’s Tigran Kirakosyan on long from the first seconds. Beridze was also stronger in several of the exchanges and the ringside doctor stopped their 50kg final bout in the third round.

Spain’s Manuel Bueno won several of his difficult contests by 3:2 split decision this year and he continued that in Kutaisi as well. The 17-year-old Spaniard had a tough final opponent, Denis Alexandrescu of Romania but he had the stamina in the third round to win the title at the men’s 55kg. Georgia’s favourite Emil Ismailovi was not able to box in the semi-finals and he earned a bronze medal but he is still a high hope in all of the major U19 events this year.

The U19 National Champion Sandro Kapanadze won the first Georgia vs. Azerbaijan final battle in Kutaisi after beating Ali Baghishov by unanimous decision at the men’s 60kg. Georgia’s next title was achieved by the Batumi-based Nika Papava who had the tactical success over Azerbaijan’s Shahin Aslanov at the 65kg.

Kyrgyzstan’s World Boxing Future Cup silver medallist Akhmadi Arvaz is only 17-year-old but he has already more than 100 bouts and the powerful athlete won more than 95% of his international contests. The Asian Junior Champion was too strong for Lithuania’s Pozniakas Tournament winner Matas Naumcev and the referee stopped their 75kg final bout in the third round.

The host Polish team won the final of the 41^st edition of the Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament in the city of Radom following their 8-6 victory over Team GB. Ireland ranked No.3 in the competition while Germany finished fourth the Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament.

The new edition of the Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament became a four-nations team competition in Poland which saw impressive bouts in Radom.

Ireland, England, Germany and Poland were the participating four strong teams in the Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament and all of them prepared hard to this traditional competition.

Mr. Feliks Stamm was a legendary boxing coach in Poland who built up fantastic teams in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. These boxers earned several medals and titles for Poland in the Olympic Games and in the European Boxing Championships making that period as the golden era for the country. This year marks the 50^th anniversary of his death and the new edition supported the teams in their preparations for the European Championships.

Poland’s Youth World silver medallist Natalia Kuczewska won her first contest in Radom and she defeated her second opponent as well, England’s Kelsey Oakley and she delivered the best performance at the women’s 51kg.

Poland’s next victory was achieved by Wiktoria Rogalinska at the women’s 57kg weight class, she defeated a tough English boxer, Vivien Parsons by 4:1 split decision. Ivy-Jane Smith was too smart for a local Polish athlete, Marta Prill at the women’s 54kg and she continued her strong achievements this year.

England’s No.1, Amy Broadhurst, the two-time World Champion, failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics but she returned in the recent months to accomplish her dreams. Her baby boy gave her extra motivation and she won her second contest against Poland’s Anastazja Michalek at the women’s 65kg.

Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska is a highly decorated female boxer who decided to move down to the 75kg weight class this year. The 28-year-old athlete had the height advantage against England’s Mary-Kate Smith but he had to do her very best to win this battle in Radom.

Poland’s Bartlomiej Roskowicz had a great youth career and he was immediately involved to the elite national team. After three years of routine in the squad, he was able to beat Scotland’s GB pugilist, Sonny Kerr in their men’s 70kg bout. England’s super heavyweight No.2., Matthew Williams defeated Oskar Safaryan as last but Team Poland won the title of the Feliks Stamm.

The Irish girls all impressed in the session, their Caitlin Fryers (51kg), Niamh Fay (57kg) and Kellie McLoughlin (60kg) won contests over German boxers. Milana Nurislamov, Canan Tas and Ayssa Lopez Martinez did not have enough experience yet to keep the level of the Irish trio in Radom.

Germany’s U19 World silver medallist Mohamed Al Manouchi is a new face in the elite national team but he won his second contest in Radom, using his longer reach against Kacper Frymus of Poland. Ireland’s Kelyn Cassidy, a veteran boxer, also enjoyed the entire Feliks Stamm and he had the second comfortable victory over Mateusz Malek.

The Pirkka Tournament opened with 44 semi-final contests in the first day of boxing in Tampere where Iceland’s Ronald Bjarki Manason, Sweden’s Joshua Ndakola and Finland’s Janette Vilen all impressed in the session.

The city of Tampere is the host of the Pirkka Tournament this May but the local Tampere Boxing Association will arrange the famous Tammer Tournament for the elite women and men boxers later this year.

Tampere hosted the 1993 edition of the Men’s World Boxing Championships and also the European Boxing Championships in the year of 2000.

Boxers from the U19, U17, U15 and U13 age groups are eligible to participate in the Pirkka Tournament this year.

The bout of the day

Iceland had some excellent results in the recent one year in various events and the country has a growing boxing market. Their best U19 boxer, Ronald Bjarki Manason is a well-known athlete in the Nordic regional events and he had the speed to catch Sweden’s Adam Rhafouli in the first round of their 50kg contest. The Swedish stepped into the gas in the second round but Manason had the right response to the tactical changes to take the victory.

The surprise of the day

Sweden’s Joshua Ndakola claimed only a bronze medal in their U17 National Championships last month but he received the right to compete at the Pirkka Tournament, representing the national team. Ndakola shocked his Finnish opponent, Mikki Ukkola in the first round and he looked stronger in all of the exchanges in the semi-finals at the 70kg.

The Round-up

Norway’s Andrea Bjornsen and Sweden’s Matilda Molin both participated in several international competitions in the Nordic region and their U19 final bout had the quality of boxing on Day1. The Norwegian found the distance better than her Swedish opponent and she won their 65kg bout by unanimous decision.

Janette Vilen competed for Finland at the European U19 Boxing Championships last year and also at the Nordic Boxing Championships. The local boxer controlled all of the three rounds against Helmi Tikkanen at the women’s 54kg weight class and she delivered one of the best performances in the U19 age group.

Estonia’s U15 Champion Rolan Sigajev is only 14-year-old but he has already three and half years of experience from various events which took place in Finland, Estonia, and Hungary. The U15 boxer is one of the top future hopes and he proved his technical skills against Fajer Ghazali at the 48kg weight class.

Wales’ Jenzen Miguel-Powell bagged a silver medal at the 2024 edition of the British Schools Boxing Championships and two years after that achievement, he is a top member of their U17 team. He shocked Sweden’s Alan Mayi with heavy punches in the first round and he dominated the entire 57kg semi-final in Tampere.

Amos Tuomainen represented Finland in the European U17 Boxing Championships last December and he joined the U19 age group this January. Tuomainen celebrated his 17^th birthday only two months ago but he looked unstoppable for Iceland’s Kormakur Steinn Jonsson in the semi-finals of the 70kg.

An U19 talent, Ramses Upshaw competed in national events in the recent one year and he gained the control of the first round against Iceland’s Viktor Orn Sigurdsson. The Finnish 80kg boxer was able to continue in the same level of boxing until the end of the contest and he will now meet Mitja Hellen for the title of the category.

The 41^st edition of the Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament is now a four-nations team competition in Poland which had an amazing first session.

Ireland, England, Germany and Poland are the participating four strong teams in the actual Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament.

Poland hosted the recent editions of the Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament in various cities but the competition returned to their capital last year.

Mr. Feliks Stamm was a legendary boxing coach in Poland who built up fantastic teams in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. These boxers earned several medals and titles for Poland in the Olympic Games and in the European Boxing Championships making that period as the golden era for the country.

The Polish boxers amazed in the last edition of the World Boxing Cup in Foz da Iguacu, Brazil and their progress is continuous every year.

Poland’s Natalia Niewiadomska was born in 2007 and she joined the elite squad only this January but she is such a high quality of boxer at the women’s 48kg. The Polish teenager defeated Germany’s Suada Ibraimovski while her teammate, Natalia Kuczewska also succeeded over Milana Nurislamov at the women’s 51kg.

England’s Kelsey Oakley and Ireland’s Caitlin Fryers had an exciting battle in the first day of the Feliks Stamm Memorial when the two top nations met in the encounter. The 23-year-old English was slightly better in the most important periods and she deserved to win the battle by 3:2 split decision at the women’s 51kg.

Germany’s teenager Assia El Fachtali has relatively low number of bouts but she has the fighting spirit and the strong will to win her contests. The young German met Ireland’s debutant Sarah Cunningham on Day1 and she won the first and second rounds to earn a 4:1 split decision victory.

Ireland’s European U22 Champion Niamh Fay is one of the top boxers at the women’s 57kg weight class in the entire event and she proved her very best against England’s Vivien Parsons, using her technical superiority to win the bout unanimously.

The two-time World Champion Amy Broadhurst switched from Ireland to England in 2024 and she returned to the boxing world after giving birth to his son. Broadhurst made a fantastic comeback to the international events and she defeated Ireland’s Kaci Rock unanimously at the women’s 65kg.

Ireland’s Terry McEntee had a great success over Scotland’s GB Team member, Sonny Kerr at the men’s 70kg which was a small surprise on Day1. Ireland’s experienced athlete at the 80kg, Kelyn Cassidy was too smart for Poland’s Richard Gilej and he bagged his nation’s next triumph in the first session of the Feliks Stamm.

Germany’s U19 World silver medallist Mohamed Al Manouchi impressed against Poland’s Ilia Bader in their meeting on Day1. Poland’s best hope at the 75kg, Mateusz Wojtasinski outpointed Ireland’s Tadhg O’Donnell and he also made a strong debut in the event.

The final line-ups are confirmed at the Akaki Kakauridze U19 Boxing Tournament in the city of Kutaisi in Georgia after the exciting semi-finals.  

Altogether 26 female and 150 male boxers are participating in the Akaki Kakauridze U19 Youth Tournament in Georgia where 18 finals have scheduled today.

The boxers from the 2008 and 2009 born age groups are eligible to participate in the Akaki Kakauridze U19 Youth Tournament in Georgia.

The event will be a perfect preparation event for the upcoming U19 World Boxing Championships which is scheduled to take place in Budva, Montenegro on October 13-28.

The bout of the day

Georgia’s Shalva Beridze is one of the rising stars of the host nation’s boxing life who claimed several tournament titles in the previous years. The 17-year-old boxer has more than 100 bouts already in his record and he used all of his routine to reach the finals of the men’s 50kg when he met Azerbaijan’s strong Ali Aliyev. The Azeri boxer was highly competitive for the taller Georgian but Beridze’s long-distance tactics paid off in this crucial semi-final.

The surprise of the day

Estonia’s Melana Nelk achieved a silver medal at the last edition of the European U17 Boxing Championships and she joined the U19 age group this January. The Baltic boxer had a good first round against Kyrgyzstan’s Zarina Asanova but her Central Asian opponent switched her tempo into a next level after the opener. The 18-year-old Kyrgyz had a strong finish in this semi-final which means that Asanova will be boxing for the title of the women’s 70kg against Georgia’s Anzhela Momtselidze.

The Round-up

Azerbaijan’s Banuchichak Nasirli claimed a silver medal at the recent European U19 Boxing Championships in Ostrava and she is one of the aces in the women’s side of the Kakauridze Tournament. After the powerful first round, the 18-year-old Azeri stopped Georgia’s Mariami Eradze in the second and she will now meet another local boxer for the title of the 48kg, Liza Kokosadze in Kutaisi.

Spain’s Andrea Buelga Garcia is one of their top boxers in the 2009 born age group and she opened the year with great international results. The Spaniard did not underestimate her semi-final opponent at the women’s 51kg, Kyrgyzstan’s Perizat Zholchubekova, and the referee confirmed her RSC success after the standing counts. Buelga’s final rival in the event will be a Georgian, Sopho Gigauri, she is the current U19 National Champion from Tbilisi.

Lithuania’s European Junior medallist Jelizaveta Jakimova is the best female boxer of their U19 national team currently who proved her technical skills and development in the semi-finals of the Kakauridze Tournament. The 17-year-old Lithuanian eliminated Spain’s Cristina Peinado Garcia in a hectic contest in Kutaisi where her final opponent will be a strong Georgian, Nino Bekauri.

Spain’s Manuel Bueno impressed in the World Boxing U19 Future Cup in Thailand two months ago and he used the recent period to increase his tactical level of boxing. The 17-year-old Spanish had a tough battle against Armenia’s Vahram Dovlatbekyan but his stamina was the difference between them in the final round. Bueno’s final rival will be Romania’s Denis Alexandrescu who walked over to the title bout of the men’s 55kg.

Azerbaijan’s Ali Baghishov outpointed Kyrgyzstan’s Daniil Bulavkin in the semi-finals of the 60kg and he will be facing an experienced local athlete for the gold, Sandro Kapanadze. The next top Azerbaijan vs. Georgia final battle could be expected at the 65kg between Shahin Aslanov and Nika Papava.

Kyrgyzstan’s Asian Junior Champion Akhmadi Arvaz achieved a fantastic silver medal at the World Boxing U19 Future Cup in Bangkok earlier this year. The 17-year-old Kyrgyz is a big puncher and he showed that power to Armenia’s Alen Stepanyan in the semi-finals of the 75kg which is the new category of the Central Asian. Following his RSC triumph, Arvaz will now meet Lithuania’s Matas Naumcev for the title of the weight class.

Romania’s Denis Cucu is in top shape this year and the country found its best super heavyweight boxer for the future elite events. The powerful Romanian made a quick decision against Armenia’s Aram Tumanyan and the Lithuanian referee stopped their semi-final in the first round. Cucu joined the finals and his opponent for the gold medal will be Azerbaijan’s Safdar Mammadzada who had a tight success over his teammate, Mahammad Jafarov.

An Asian Schoolboys silver medallist, Muhammadali Istamov switched to Azerbaijan this year and he opened his campaign for his new nation with a gold medal at the Heydar Aliyev U17 Cup which finished in the Baku Boxing Center.

Altogether 41 women and 144 men boxers competed for the 23 available titles during the Heydar Aliyev U17 Cup.

Boxers from the 2010 and 2011 age groups were eligible to participate in the Heydar Aliyev Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan which is another traditional event and it was named after Mr. Heydar Aliyev who served Azerbaijan as President of the State between 1993 until his death in 2003.

The Heydar Aliyev Cup was a preparation event for the European U17 Boxing Championships which will be held in Budva, Montenegro on October 1-11.

The bout of the day

Muhammadali Istamov represented Uzbekistan in the recent international events and he earned several titles and medals during his U15 age. Istamov is a big talent and he decided to continue his career in Azerbaijan where he put himself into the spotlight with a gold medal at the Heydar Aliyev U17 Tournament. The ex-Uzbek boxer had a tight advantage on the judges’ scorecards against Ali Jamalzadeh after the first round but his opponent returned to the business in the second with better combinations. Istamov increased his rhythm in the third and his technical skills decided the best and the closest finals of the tournament.

The surprise of the day

Gardash Rakhimov was named as the favourite of the 52kg weight category before the start of the competition but finally he achieved only a silver medal in Baku. Azerbaijan’s successful boxer in the recent international competition was not enough shape to beat his teammate, Ismayil Nasirzadeh in the final contest.

The Round-Up

The first male title of the Heydar Aliyev U17 Tournament was achieved by Aydin Shakhbazov, a local boy, who had a clean success over Ilhan Mamiyev at the smallest 44kg. Hasrat Mammadov was energetic in the full competition and he had the speed advantage to beat another Azeri boxer, Sarkhan Aghazadeh at the 46kg final.

The 48kg is always a strong category in Azerbaijan, they have the tradition on that and their Nihad Mammadli advanced to the final. His opponent from Uzbekistan, Suvonbek Yuldoshev found the best fighting range in the first round earlier than Mammadli and he took the lead on the scorecards. The local boxer worked harder in the last round but Yuldoshev had the comfortable advantage to win the first title for Uzbekistan.

Azerbaijan’s Rustam Nasibov had an impressive start against his teammate, Vagif Mammadli in the first round of the 50kg final. After his amazing opener, almost all of the judges favoured him 10:8 due to the standing counts which showed the large margin between them after two minutes of fight. Mammadli made a superb comeback in the second round but Nasibov mobilized his last drop of energies well enough in the third to win their final.

The bantamweight (54kg) was the strongest division in this Heydar Aliyev U17 Tournament and champions of major events failed to reach the final in Baku. Two of the Uzbeks such as Iskandar Kadamboyev and Mirfayiz Fayzullayev joined the finals after their outstanding semi-final triumphs. The more experienced Kadamboyev needed a great third round to beat his compatriot, but he managed that tactical part effectively.

Uzbekistan’s next gold medal was captured by Azizbek Nurzullayev who had the full control over Azerbaijan’s Ali Abasli in the final of the lightweight. Georgia’s lone title in the Heydar Aliyev Cup was taken by Temur Pavliashvili who defeated such a strong boxer as Uzbekistan’s Fayoziddin Rakhmonaliyev at the 66kg.

Azerbaijan’s Shukar Aliyev claimed medals already in two editions of the European Boxing Championships despite his age of 16 and he had a fantastic job in the entire Heydar Aliyev U17 Cup. He became the strongest boxer in the men’s 80kg weight class once again after his powerful work against Salekh Farajov which final bout has finished in the first round with a stoppage.

Uzbekistan’s Elshod Oblakulov was one of the main favourites at the heavyweight (+80kg) in the Heydar Aliyev U17 Cup but he had a surprise loss in the semi-finals. Two of the top Kazakhs marched to the finals of the heaviest weight class, Ramazan Kaznabay and Nursultan Kemelkhan. The first was more punctual in the exchanges during their meeting and Kaznabay celebrated the last title of the competition.