Finland’s European bronze medallist Emma Jokiaho delighted the local fans with her great finish during the quarter-finals of the 44th Gee Bee Tournament in Helsinki today.
The Gee Bee Tournament is a great international competition with excellent possibilities to prepare for the big championships this year, including the European Elite Boxing Championships.
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America and Wales are the participating countries in the upcoming edition in Helsinki.
The bout of the day
Finland’s best female boxer, Pihla Kaivo-Oja is focusing to the major championships therefore Emma Jokiaho, their European bronze medallist is the flag bearer of the local team. The experienced boxer was not able to maintain the best fighting range in the first round therefore Jokiaho needed strong advices in the break. Finland’s pride worked better in the second and she made turned back their quarter-final bout with an exceptional third round.
The surprise of the day
Scotland developed women’s boxing in the recent years and their girls had a few strong international results in the 2020s. Their female boxers are keeping their eyes on the next Commonwealth Games which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland this July. Their Lara Brown does not have enough international experience yet but she had the stamina and the strong will to beat Kazakhstan’s Aidana Zabynbekova today.
The Round-Up
Kazakhstan’s 37-year-old Zhaina Shekerbekova had a tight success over Netherlands’ Gabriella Weerheim which was one of the best contests of the first day of boxing. The Kazakh veteran expected another hard battle in the opening bout of the second day against Italy’s Sirine Charaabi which was an exciting battle between the two Olympians. Charaabi bagged a bronze medal at the recent World Championships but she was competitive only in the second round this time therefore the Asian Champion Shekerbekova advanced to the semi-finals at the 54kg.
Wales has a small female team but the quality of their boxers are world-class which their Helen Jones proved once again in an international event. The Welsh girl controlled the first round with punctual punches against Germany’s Tatiana Obermeier who switched back to boxing from another martial art. Jones ruled the exchanges from her safest distance and she defeated the German national team member in the quarter-final at the 54kg.
Netherlands’ Tara Vogels is a big puncher and she received the right to compete at the women’s 57kg weight class in Helsinki following her teammate, Gabriella Weerheim moved down to the 54kg. The Dutch talent worked well in the first round against Finland’s Anna Tyni but her opponent, as Jokiaho in the 54kg, turned back their hectic quarter-final bout.
Ana Khunjua represented Georgia in the 2010s and she decided to switch to Belgium and she earned already tournament titles for her new nation. Khunjua had a powerful opponent from the US Development team, Deborah Grant who had impressive attacks especially in the second and third rounds to win this 57kg bout.
Denmark’s Alice Bennedbaek claimed the title at the annual Golden Girl in Sweden and despite her low number of bouts, she became a medallist also at the Gee Bee Tournament. The Danish boxer was never stopped attacking against Italy’s Madalina Grabucea and her great finish guaranteed a spot for Bennedbaek in the last four at the 57kg.
Scotland’s Nicholas Devlin returned to the national team due to the Commonwealth Games and he was a member of their delegation at the recent World Boxing Championships in Liverpool. The Scottish had the confidence against Italy’s Tiziano Alciati and he had the strong control in all of the three rounds today. Another excellent 60kg boxer in the Gee Bee, the US Yahir Diaz-Martinez eliminated Belgium’s Nadir Boulaiz unanimously.
Netherlands’ Mahmoud Al Chabtoun, one of the King of the Rings, is one of their most experienced male boxers in the squad and he had a strong start against Finland’s Konsta Junttila at the men’s 60kg. He saved some fuels in the third round for the upcoming bouts but he won their quarter-final bout with solid performance.
His teammate, the World Championships competitor Finn Bos used his strength to beat Scotland’s Taylor MacMahon in the quarter-finals of the 70kg. Germany’s Randy Botikali has a very busy schedule with events this year and he had the energetic attacks and the tempo to beat Italy’s Fabio Smedile.
The women’s 70kg is another strong category at the Gee Bee Tournament in Finland where Kazakhstan’s Asian U22 Champion Zhasmin Kizatova controlled her quarter-final against Sweden’s Alexandra Zhurzhenko. France’s returning European U23 Champion Maelys Richol eliminated Finland’s Vilma Kuusikko using her longer reach effectively in the next bout of this weight class.
Wales’ Rosie Eccles was very disappointed with her results in the Paris Olympics and she needed one and half year to recover and return to the sport. She had a strong debut at the Boxam Tournament earlier this year and she demonstrated her progress against Denmark’s veteran Ditte Frostholm in the quarter-finals of the 70kg.
The European Boxing’s first international educational program for the coaches will be held in Pajulahti, Finland in order to develop the knowledge of the trainers based on the modern standards.
The Finnish Boxing Federation will arrange all of the preparations for the course and the country has selected as the host due to their world-class training facilities.
The Finnish Boxing Federation hosts the Nordic Boxing Championships in the city of Vantaa, which will follow the education program for the coaches.
The historic course will take place in the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Pajulahti during the preparation camp for the upcoming Gee Bee Tournament.
The Gee Bee Tournament will feature in Helsinki on April 9-12 and the four-days long competition is one of the top international events next month.
Such strong nations as Belgium, Denmark, host Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America and Wales are all planning to participate in the upcoming Gee Bee Tournament.
One of the most experienced European coaches, the Italian Mr. Raffaele Bergamasco will lead the education program for the continental-level trainers. Mr. Bergamasco worked as head coach in the Italian national team, in the Indian women’s squad and the Belgian national team in the recent one decade.
“Traditionally, continental federations have not organised their own coaches’ education programmes. However, discussions have highlighted the importance of bringing education closer to coaches, both logistically and economically. Europe is now taking the lead in this development,” said Finland’s head coach of the national team, Mr. Ervin Kade.
Alongside the new educational program, the European Boxing is introducing a clearer certification pathway for international coaching activities. The coaches will be required to complete a continental-level education programme in order to work in the corner at international competitions in the future.
The exciting 44th Gee Bee Tournament opened with its first competition day in Helsinki, Finland where 19 bouts were on the schedule of the session. Kazakhstan’s 37-year-old veteran Zhaina Shekerbekova won the bout of the day against the young Dutch talent, Gabriella Weerheim.
The Gee Bee Tournament is a great international competition with excellent possibilities to prepare for the big championships this year, including the European Elite Boxing Championships.
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America and Wales are the participating countries in the upcoming edition in Helsinki.
The bout of the day
Netherlands’ Gabriella Weerheim achieved a silver medal at the Boxam Tournament in Spain where she began the busy year. The young Dutch moved down to the 54kg weight class and she had an opponent from Kazakhstan, the Olympian Zhaina Shekerbekova with the similar physical skills. Both boxers landed punches from closer range and the final verdict was depended only on their performance in the last round. The Asian Champion Kazakh is 16-years-older than Weerheim and only her routine was the difference between them today.
The surprise of the day
France’s Djamel Djemmal bagged a bronze medal at the 2024 Youth World Boxing Championships and he was named as one of the favourites in the men’s 70kg weight class. The 20-year-old French did not find the best fighting distance in the first round against Scotland’s Taylor McMahon and his opponent took the lead after three busy minutes. The Scottish boxer was in shape and his stylish boxing delivered a surprise success over one of the favourites.
The Round-Up
Italy’s Paris Olympian Sirine Charaabi bagged a bronze medal at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool and she used the recent months to develop herself in terms of speed and accuracy. The Italian dominated the first round against Sweden’s Lia Tissell and she was still able to increase her intense of footwork in the second. Charaabi used this contest as a warm-up in Helsinki and she won this 54kg female bout by large margin of difference on the scorecards.
United States’ Jayshannet Ramos Zapata opened the first round better than Scotland’s Stephanie Kernachan and she had the better punches after the tactical start. Ramos controlled also the second round with her punctual combinations but the Scottish girl was a type of never give up. Kernachan, who has been preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Games with full speed, made brilliant efforts in the last three minutes but Ramos had still the advantage to win their 54kg meeting.
Scotland’s Niamh Mitchell, the former European Junior Champion, earned a gold medal at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament in Hungary last month and she arrived to Helsinki with high hopes. The Scottish is not an experienced elite yet but she used her long reach with confidence in the first and third rounds to beat Kazakhstan’s Anar Tursynbek at the 60kg.
Netherlands’ Youth World Champion Maud Van der Toorn was born in 2005 while her first opponent in Helsinki, Sweden’ Lili Arman is member of the 2007 age group and she is a new elite in the team. Despite Arman’s lack of experience in the elite events, she was highly competitive for the 60kg Dutch girl therefore Van der Toorn needed to keep the focus until the last seconds today.
Belgium’s new female national team member, Sarah Renders made strong first and third rounds against Switzerland’s Noemi Iuva to win their 60kg meeting in Helsinki. The next Dutch boxer in action after Maud Van der Toorn, the U19 World silver medallist Aaliyah Hoppema controlled all of the three rounds against Denmark’s Golden Girl winner Caroline Lauenborg at the 65kg.
Denmark’s Qalid Osman is a new elite team member but he proved his strong progress in the first day of boxing when he eliminated Scotland’s Leo Church. United States’ Dustin Jimenez and France’s Boxam silver medallist Mohamed Ounai both were unstoppable in this 65kg today.
Wales’ U19 World Champion Dan Pitt eliminated Germany’s Jason Zeller in the opening bout of the tough men’s 80kg weight class. Sweden’s Divine Ejesum was too strong for Switzerland’s Diego Mazzarelli while Italy’s Christian Sarsilli had a tight success over Scotland’s Alan Perrie in this division.
Finland’s capital, Helsinki will be the host of the 44th edition of the Gee Bee Tournament as the next highlight among the European competitions.
The Gee Bee Tournament is a great international competition with excellent possibilities to prepare for the big championships this year, including the European Elite Boxing Championships.
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America and Wales are the participating countries in the upcoming edition in Helsinki.
The competition venue will be the Helsinki Sport Hall where altogether 17 winners to be crowned in the new edition. The accommodation and the meals will be at the Hotel Scandic Kallio as in the previous years.
The women boxers can participate in seven different weight categories in Helsinki at the 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, and 70kg divisions. The 10 men’s elite weight categories are in the event as follows: 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg and +90kg.
The first edition of the Gee Bee Tournament was held in 1982 and the competition has the tradition with high quality of standard. The competition was named after Gunnar Baerlund, Finland’s heavyweight European Champion from 1934.
Sweden’s best male boxer, Kevin Scott, Netherlands’ Kian Terwint and Finland’s Ismail Umar won the awards at the 43rdedition of the Gee Bee Tournament in Helsinki one year ago.
Altogether 84 bouts were held in the last edition of the Gee Bee Tournament and representatives from Australia, Belgium, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Wales participated in 2025.
The facts of the Gee Bee Tournament
Name: Gee Bee Tournament
Competition Period: April 9-12
Venue: Helsinki, Finland
Gender: Women & Men
Age Group: Elite
Date of Birth of the boxers: 1986-2007 born boxers
The schedule of the Gee Bee Tournament
April 8 – Arrivals of the delegations
April 8 – Sport Entries Check
April 8, 20:00 – Technical Meeting
April 8, 21:00 – Official Draw
April 9, 18:00 – Day1 competition
April 10, 12:00 & 18:00 – Day2 competition
April 11, 12:00 & 18:00 – Day3 competition
April 12, 13:00 – Day4 competition with the finals
April 13 – Departures of the delegations
The boxers who need to be watched in the Gee Bee Tournament
- Wassila Lkhadiri, France, women’s 51kg – Olympian; World Championships bronze medallist
- Jennifer Lozano, United States of America, women’s 51kg – Olympian; Panamerican Champion
- Zhaina Shekerbekova, Kazakhstan, women’s 54kg – Olympian; World Championships silver medallist; Asian Champion
- Sirine Charaabi, Italy, women’s 54kg – Olympian; World Championships bronze medallist
- Emma Jokiaho, Finland, women’s 54kg – European Championships bronze medallist
- Maud Van der Toorn, Netherlands, women’s 60kg – Youth World Champion
- Ginevra Muzzi, Italy, women’s 60kg – European Youth Champion
- Niamh Mitchell, Scotland, women’s 60kg – European Junior Champion; Bocskai Memorial Tournament winner
- Aaliyah Hoppema, Netherlands, women’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the U19 World Boxing Championships
- Zhasmin Kizatova, Kazakhstan, women’s 65kg – Asian U22 Champion
- Maelys Richol, France, women’s 70kg – European Youth Champion
- Rosie Eccles, Wales, women’s 70kg – Olympian; Commonwealth Games winner
- Mohamed Ounai, France, men’s 65kg – Boxam Tournament silver medallist
- Djamel Djemmal, France, men’s 70kg – Youth World Championships bronze medallist
- Christian Sarsilli, Italy, men’s 80kg – European Youth Champion
- Junior Tadah, France, men’s 85kg – European U23 Champion
- Victor Schelstraete, Belgium, men’s 90kg – Olympian; World Championships bronze medallist
- Elwin Belezika, Sweden, men’s 90kg – European U23 Championships bronze medallist
Subhan Mamedov won the most anticipated final of the Great Silk Way Tournament in Baku, where he defeated a European Youth Champion, Bilalkhabashi Nazarov.
Altogether 29 female and 97 male boxers competed in the annual Great Silk Way Tournament in the heart of Azerbaijan.
The bout of the day
The first male final bout was the most anticipated contest of the Great Silk Way Tournament and it has served as a selection between two Azeri stars. The European U23 Champion Subhan Mamedov eliminated Georgia’s Goga Topuria in the semi-finals of the men’s 50kg and he faced the 18-year-old super talented teammate, Bilalkhabashi Nazarov for the gold. The European Youth Champion Nazarov also has excellent technical skills and he showed not only strong resistance in the final but hard moments for the older Mamedov who had to do his very best to win this tough contest.
The surprise of the day
Turkey’s Refik Kartal caused a surprise in the semi-finals of the men’s 70kg when he eliminated Azerbaijan’s World Championships bronze medallist Sarkhan Aliyev. The Turkish boxer continued the winning path against Darkhan Duisebay of Kazakhstan which was another surprise victory for Kartal. The former Asian Youth Champion Kazakh was not enough punctual today therefore Kartal won their final by 3:2 split decision.
The Round-Up
After the top final at the 50kg, another two Azeri boxers competed for the title of the men’s 55kg which delivered another sensational battle. Amin Mammadzadeh is very busy this year, he claimed a silver medal at the recent Bocskai Memorial Tournament and he eliminated the favourite Zidan Hunbatov in the semi-finals. Mammadzadeh felt the distance once again and he had the best strategy to beat his teammate, Zalimkhan Suleymanov for the gold medal.
Georgia’s Georgi Natroshvili had a serious disadvantage after two rounds in the semi-finals of the 75kg when he faced the top favourite, the World bronze medallist Saidjamshid Jafarov of Azerbaijan but he had strong punches in the third to stop the No.1 of this weight class. Natroshvili focused more in the opening round of his final bout and he had the performance to beat Uzbekistan’s Sherbek Shokirov to take the title in Baku.
Kazakhstan’s Bakbergen Aliaskarov, the Asian U22 Champion, marched into the finals of the 80kg weight class using his powerful jabs. The Kazakh boxer had a local opponent in the final, Seyid Seyidov, and he controlled two out of the three rounds to win the final of this weight category at the Great Silk Way.
Turkey’s Bedirhan Kalkan achieved a bronze medal at the 2025 European U23 Boxing Championships in Budapest last November and he received the right to continue his international pathway at the Great Silk Way Tournament. The Turkish boxer felt the distance well against Kazakhstan’s Beknur Batyrbek and he earned the title of the 85kg.
Azerbaijan’s Surat Garayev had a tight success over Australia’s Joshua Heske in the final of the men’s 90kg which was another hectic bout in the sixth competition day. The Olympian and European Games silver medallist Mahammad Abdullayev had also an opponent for Australia, the National Selection winner Alexander Shaw. The Aussie boxer was highly competitive in the final against such strong opponent as Abdullayev but the local athlete celebrated the title after the last gong.
Two of the experienced Azeri boxers as the Olympian Tayfur Aliyev and Malik Hasanov both walked over to their titles at the 60kg and the 65kg.
Kazakhstan, Algeria and Turkey won the female finals at the Great Silk Way Tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan where Berfin Kabak had a dominant title contest.
Altogether 29 female and 97 male boxers are participating in the annual Great Silk Way Tournament in the heart of Azerbaijan.
Baku hosted several big events in the recent 20 years, including the Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships in 2011, the Youth World Boxing Championships and the Cadet World Boxing Championships.
The bout of the day
Kazakhstan’s Anel Kudaybergen has big plans for this year after a few poor seasons and she accomplished her goal in the Great Silk Way Tournament. The 25-year-old boxer had a hard battle in the final of the women’s 48kg against her teammate, the Asian U22 Championships silver medallist Akbota Bolat, but her hand was raised after the last bell, winning the hectic contest by 3:2 split decision.
The surprise of the day
Azerbaijan’s Zidan Hunbatov earned plenty of medals and titles during his junior and youth career and he is one of the aces for the future elite events. The 18-year-old boxer was the favourite against the tall Amin Mammadzadeh who moved down to the 55kg after his silver medal at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament. Mammadzadeh had the better strategy in their semi-final and he will now meet for the title, Zalimkhan Suleymanov.
The Round-Up
Algeria’s Fatiha Mansouri eliminated several top opponents during her road to the final of the women’s 51kg weight category but she was still highly motivated to take the title of the Great Silk Way Tournament. The Algerian boxer and her opponent from Kazakhstan, Zhansaya Rakhymberdi, both were exhausted in the last round but Mansouri’s stamina caused a tight difference between them.
Kazakhstan’s Anel Sakysh moved up to the 54kg weight class in this Olympic cycle to get a chance in major competitions as well. The 24-year-old boxer gained the control in the first round of the final against her compatriot, Anzha Sadvakassova and she managed to win most of the rounds to take the title of the Great Silk Way.
Turkey’s Berfin Kabak started her road in the Round of 16 in Baku when she stopped Hungary’s Diana Cifra in the third period of their preliminary bout. The Turkish boxer repeated that performance also in the final of the women’s 65kg and she stopped Australia’s Eve Bryson with punctual and heavy punches.
Azerbaijan’s European U23 Champion Subhan Mamedov used his reach better than Georgia’s Goga Topuria and he controlled all of the three rounds in their 50kg semi-final battle. Mamedov’s final opponent will be his 18-year-old super talented teammate, Bilalkhabashi Nazarov which could be one of the most awaited title bouts.
Azerbaijan’s next young talent, Mahammadali Ashiraliyev performed strongly against Kazakhstan’s Asian U22 Champion Nursultan Altynbek and he joined the final of the 60kg category. After that big scalp, Ashiraliyev will be boxing for the gold medal of the lightweight with the experienced Olympian, Tayfur Aliyev.
Azerbaijan’s Malik Hasanov is another star of the annual Great Silk Way Tournament and Bulgaria’s European U23 silver medallist Viktorio Iliev was also not able to stop him in the semi-final of the 65kg. Hasanov’s final opponent will be Zaur Gahramanov while several boxers from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Australia and Uzbekistan have joined the title contests.
Kyrgyzstan’s No.1, the Paris Olympics silver medallist Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu returned with a gold medal at the 34thedition of the Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament in Istanbul.
Uzbekistan topped the medal standings with five gold medals ahead of Ukraine’s four titles at the Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Tournament. Turkey and Kazakhstan both bagged three titles in the event while Kyrgyzstan and Ireland both earned two gold medals in Istanbul.
The city of Istanbul will be the host of the next edition of the European Games on June 16-27 in 2027.
The bout of the day
Germany’s Jule Woche exceeded all of the previous expectations in the Ahmet Comert Tournament and she won three tough contests to reach the final of the competition. The German had to meet Kazakhstan’s Asian Youth Champion Assem Tanatar for the title of the women’s 65kg weight class. The Kazakh started the first round better but Woche was better minutes by minutes in this excellent final contest. The German produced a superb final round but she was not able to turn back this title bout which guaranteed Kazakhstan’s first gold medal in the event.
The surprise of the day
Kazakhstan’s Oner Seilkhan was a gold medallist at the 2024 Youth World Boxing Championships but the 19-year-old boxer is still new among the elites. Additionally, Seilkhan moved up two categories since his youth ages but he looked highly confident in the final against such an experienced and strong boxer as Ukraine’s European U23 Champion Dzhamal Kuliyev.
The Round-up
Uzbekistan’s Robiyakhon Bakhtiyorova moved back to the 48kg which is perfect for her physical condition and she impressed in the entire tournament. The young Uzbek controlled all of her contests in Istanbul, including the final against Zeynep Onen of Turkey. Her teammate, the Asian Youth Champion Uzukjamol Yunusova became also a champion in the event after beating Ireland’s Nicole Clyde at the 54kg.
Ireland sent a strong female team to the Ahmet Comert Tournament and two of their girls have crowned in the event. Firstly, the returning Caitlin Fryers defeated Turkey’s Eda Nur Kilicci at the women’s 51kg with top performance. Secondly, their European U22 Champion Niamh Fay continued her winning path and she had the perfect strategy against Serbia’s Jelena Zekic at the women’s 57kg.
Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova claimed a gold medal at the 2021 edition of the Asian Elite Boxing Championships and her main goal is to regain the top spot in the national squad at the women’s 60kg. The Paris Olympian maintained the best fighting distance in the first round against Turkey’s Esmanur Lok and she was able to continue the same performance until the last bell of the final.
Ukraine’s Anastasia Chernokolenko was a bronze medallist at the 2014 Women’s World Boxing Championships and after twelve years in the events, she was still speedy and motivated to win the 70kg. Her teammate, Raisa Piskun progressed in all aspects of boxing in the recent two years and she had the strong punches to take the title at the 80kg.
Romania’s Amalia Nita had brilliant results among the junior and youth events and the European Champion reached the top of the podium at the women’s 75kg, achieving her nation’s lone gold medal in Istanbul. Uzbekistan’s two-time Asian Youth Champion Sobirakhon Shakhobiddinova was the strongest boxer in the women’s +80kg and the 19-year-old talent defeated Ukraine’s Polina Chernenko to take the last female gold medal.
Turkey’s Salih Samet Oruc used his patient style of boxing to take the title of the men’s 50kg after beating Ulas Yalcinkaya. Semih Gumus bagged Turkey’s second gold medal in the event, he had a tough battle against Kyrgyzstan’s Zafarbek Kamilov at the 55kg. Vedat Kacar achieved Turkey’s third gold medal in the event, he succeeded over Australia’s Toby Reading at the men’s 75kg final.
Kyrgyzstan’s Paris Olympics silver medallist Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu reached amazing historic milestones for his nation’s boxing in 2023 and in 2024. The currently 30-year-old boxer returned in the Ahmet Comert Tournament in top shape and he had the comfortable success over Ukraine’s Ivan Zavadskyi at the 60kg.
Uzbekistan’s Ilkhomjon Ergashev (65kg), Kyrgyzstan’s Ikhtiyor Nishonov (70kg), Kazakhstan’s Ayan Kalmakhanbetov (85kg), and Ukraine’s duo, Yevhenii Pavlovskyi (90kg) and Dmytro Lovchinskyi (+90kg) also earned titles in Istanbul.
Algeria’s Fatiha Mansouri won one of the toughest bouts at the Great Silk Way Tournament in Baku on Day4 and several of the final line-ups are decided.
Altogether 29 female and 97 male boxers are participating in the annual Great Silk Way Tournament in the heart of Azerbaijan.
Baku hosted several big events in the recent 20 years, including the Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships in 2011, the Youth World Boxing Championships and the Cadet World Boxing Championships.
The bout of the day
The Algerian girls progressed a lot and their new national team has great future potential in the upcoming major events as the Mediterranean Games. Their Fatiha Mansouri had the technical skills to keep the same level as Turkey’s Gamze Soguksu and she had the chance to make a surprise after two rounds. The Algerian had the stamina in the last round to win the semi-final of the women’s 51kg and she will be meeting Kazakhstan’s Zhansaya Rakhymberdi for the title.
The surprise of the day
Australia’s Eve Bryson is a very talented boxer with strong development but she expected a hard bout against Azerbaijan’s European Junior Champion Emili Rzayeva. The local boxer had the support from the crowd but Bryson not only adopted the level of the contest but her control in the second and third rounds were decisive. The Australian will be facing for the gold medal with Turkey’s Berfin Kabak who defeated her third rival in Baku today.
The Round-Up
Kazakhstan’s Anel Kudaybergen, the former Youth World bronze medallist, had a difficult semi-final at the women’s 48kg when she met Australia’s Alana Selak but she was able to keep the full focus. The 25-year-old Kazakh had a good finish to beat the Aussie boxer today and she will be boxing for the title of the Great Silk Way Tournament with Akbota Bolat, an Asian U22 Champion.
Kazakhstan’s Anel Sakysh achieved her first top result, a silver at the 2019 Asian Youth Boxing Championships and she had the strong start against Gaukhar Zarden, another boxer from her nation. The 24-year-old Sakysh finished the job in the second round when the referee confirmed her RSC success therefore she has the chance to take the title of the 54kg against her teammate, Anzha Sadvakassova.
Azerbaijan’s Subhan Mamedov achieved a gold medal at the European U23 Boxing Championships in Budapest a few months ago and he came back to the international events in Baku. Mamedov used his long hands to keep the best distance against Australia’s Bocskai Memorial Tournament silver medallist Lachlan Shipsey and he secured his place in the semi-finals of the men’s 50kg.
Azerbaijan’s next ace in the smallest men’s category, Bilalkhabashi Nazarov dominated the first and second rounds against Yusif Soltanov and his strength made the difference today. Another star in this 50kg weight category, Georgia’s Sakhil Alakhverdovi had punctual attacks from his safest distance to beat Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Nuridenov.
Azerbaijan’s Tayfur Aliyev earned his first ever elite result, a bronze at the 2015 European Games when he was only 18-year-old. The experienced boxer felt the rhythm in most of the exchanges against Algeria’s most promising male pugilist, Mouatez Bechagra today. His younger teammates, such as Mahammadali Ashiraliyev and Mahammadali Gasimzadeh both eliminated their opponents at the 60kg.
Azerbaijan’s Zidan Hunbatov, Uzbekistan’s Sherbek Shokirov and Bulgaria’s Viktorio Iliev won tight contests at the Great Silk Way Tournament in Baku during the day of the quarter-finals.
Altogether 29 female and 97 male boxers are participating in the annual Great Silk Way Tournament in the heart of Azerbaijan.
Baku hosted several big events in the recent 20 years, including the Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships in 2011, the Youth World Boxing Championships and the Cadet World Boxing Championships.
The bout of the day
Azerbaijan’s next sensation at the 55kg weight class, Zidan Hunbatov is a new addition from their powerful U19 team and he had strong pedigree in all of the previous international events. The teenager had a competitive rival today, Algeria’s Mohamed Abbas but his technical skills and stamina were enough to win this crucial battle today.
The surprise of the day
Kazakhstan’s Talgat Shayken achieved a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Youth Championships and a silver at the annual Youth World Boxing Championships. The Kazakh boxer returned to the events after a short break and he was named as one of the gold medal favourites at the men’s 75kg. Shayken surprisingly failed to reach a medal in Baku after his unexpected loss to Uzbekistan’s young Sherbek Shokirov.
The Round-Up
Turkey’s Gamze Soguksu is a talented boxer at the women’s 51kg but she had to meet Kazakhstan’s Youth World Champion Yelyanur Turganova in the third day of boxing. The 19-year-old Kazakh has just moved up to this weight class and she did not adopt the rhythm and the strength of the division yet. The Turkish boxer delivered her best ever performance in this bout and she defeated such a technician boxer as Turganova.
Azerbaijan’s Emili Rzayeva had an outstanding junior and youth boxing career and she is now a member of their elite national team. She had a seriously hard job against Algeria’s newcomer Melissa Hamda in the quarter-finals of the women’s 65kg but she managed to beat her opponent by 3:2 split decision.
Australia’s Eve Bryson joined the international events only 15 months ago but she had such a great progress after the intense training camps of the recent weeks. The Aussie boxer outpointed Kazakhstan’s Symbat Aliaskar today and her opponent abandoned this 65kg contest after the second round.
Azerbaijan’s Amin Mammadzade bagged silver medal at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament in Hungary last month and he moved back to the 55kg, which is the best for him. The local boxer gained the control against Uzbekistan’s Otabek Ismoilov in the first round and he kept it until the last gong today.
Kazakhstan’s experienced Timur Kabdeshov had a strong performance against Georgia’s Lado Karchava in the 55kg and he is also a medallist in Baku. His teammates, such as Beknur Batyrbek (85kg), Dauren Mamyr (85kg) and Ontalap Rakhmanov (90kg) all joined the next phase of the tournament.
Azerbaijan’s Zaur Gahramanov is another high hope for the future who demonstrated his power against Mahmud Huseynov at the 65kg. The best Azeri boxer in this weight class, the tall Malik Hasanov used his longer reach well enough to beat a dangerous opponent, Georgia’s Levan Demurovi in their quarter-final.
Bulgaria’s Viktorio Iliev developed rapidly in the recent one and half year and he achieved a fantastic silver medal at the European U23 Boxing Championships in 2025. The 19-year-old Bulgarian, who tested his skills also in World Cups last year, controlled most of the exchanges against Algeria’s promising Mohamed Walid Allaoui in the next 65kg quarter-final battle.
Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Altynbek made a great debut at the 60kg in the Great Silk Way Tournament opened in Baku, Azerbaijan today where Sabuhi Alizadeh, Alexander Shaw, Sakhil Alakhverdovi and Tayfur Aliyev also managed to win their openers.
Altogether 29 female and 97 male boxers are participating in the annual Great Silk Way Tournament in the heart of Azerbaijan.
Baku hosted several big events in the recent 20 years, including the Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships in 2011, the Youth World Boxing Championships and the Cadet World Boxing Championships.
The bout of the day
Azerbaijan’s Sabuhi Alizadeh had the height and weight advantage against Algeria’s newcomer Abderrahim Magta and he used that well in the first round. The Azeri super heavyweight boxer stopped the Algerian attacks in the second and third periods and Alizadeh celebrated a well-deserved success after the last gong.
The surprise of the day
Australia’s Alexander Shaw won their Elite National Selection Tournament this year and he used his strength to take the lead against Moldova’s Nicolae Burdiuja at the +90kg. The Aussie boxer found the wholes between the wholes of the Moldovan boxer and his body shots also worked well in their meeting therefore Shaw joined the next stage of the event.
The Round-Up
Australia’s Alana Selak competed in Sweden, Colombia and the United States in the recent 15 months and she conquered Azerbaijan in the opening bout of the second competition day. The Aussie girl controlled all of the three rounds against Azerbaijan’s Lala Madatova and she joined the next stage at the women’s 48kg.
Kazakhstan’s Anel Kudaybergen achieved already a bronze medal at the 2018 Youth World Boxing Championships in Budapest and she had a perfect opener in the Great Silk Way Tournament against Azerbaijan’s Mehpara Mammadova. Her teammate at the 54kg, Anzha Sadvakassova had a tight victory over Algeria’s Douaa Rouaz and she needed a great finish to win this bout.
Turkey’s southpaw, Berfin Kabak competed in the 2024 edition of the European U23 Boxing Championships and he represented the country in various events from Poland to Bulgaria. The 24-year-old Turkish faced Hungary’s Diana Cifra in the Round of 16 at the women’s 65kg weight category and she expected a hard fight today. The Hungarian was competitive in the first round but from the second Kabak had the dominance and a stoppage in the third round favoured the Turkish athlete.
Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Nuridenov had impressive youth results in the past but he was not able to make the real breakthrough among the elite boxers yet. The 50kg Kazakh had the technician style of boxing in all of the three rounds against Moldova’s Mihai Porombac and his hand was raised after the last gong.
Georgia’s Sakhil Alakhverdovi is a European Champion, World bronze medallist boxer in the smallest weight class and he is one of the top names at the Great Silk Way Tournament. The Georgian was patient in the attacks and he controlled all of the three rounds against Azerbaijan’s Ramal Yolchuyev with his longer reach.
The 60kg weight class is fantastic at the Great Silk Way Tournament in Baku where a local boy, Umud Rustamov won the first preliminary bout against Australia’s Johnny Dale. Bulgaria’s Yasen Radev continued the winning series and he had the right responses to Georgia’s Davit Mushkudiani.
Kazakhstan’s Asian U22 Champion Nursultan Altynbek moved up to the 60kg this year and he had the technical superiority against Azerbaijan’s Nadir Malikov. One of the most talented local hopes in this weight class, Mahammadali Gasimzadeh was confident in his debuting contest but Algeria’s Mouatez Bechagra and the veteran Tayfur Aliyev also impressed in the Round of 16.
Turkey’s Onen Zeynep, Germany’s Jule Woche and Australia’s Bilal Souied made surprise successes at the 34th edition of the Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament in Istanbul on Day5.
Such great boxing nations as Australia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan are competing at the Ahmet Comert with strong boxers.
The city of Istanbul will be the host of the next edition of the European Games on June 16-27 in 2027.
The bout of the day
Kyrgyzstan’s Paris Olympics silver medallist Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu used his patient style of boxing against Germany’s Denis Bril but his opponent also adopted that tactical chess game in the first round. The 30-year-old Kyrgyz was more punctual in the second round and he looked more fresh also in the third mentally and physically to reach the final of the 60kg weight class after his victory in the bout of the day.
The surprise of the day
Kazakhstan’s Gulnaz Buribayeva spent her career mostly out of her country in various international competitions and she is aiming for a top elite result. The Central Asian started better than Turkey’s Onen Zeynep and she had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards after one round. The local boxer felt the support of the home crowd and she made a big U-turn from the second round therefore Zeynep caused a surprise success on Day5.
The Round-up
Ireland’s Caitlin Fryers had a superb boxing career in the 2010s and she decided to continue her job in the ring to achieve something big this year. The Irish girl is small in the women’s 51kg but she had energetic attacks against Turkey’s Emine Kilinc and she won all of the three rounds in the first semi-final of the day.
Australia’s Leah Anderton earned a bronze medal at the U19 World Boxing Championships in Pueblo one and half year ago and now she is aiming for the top spot in the elite national team. The Aussie boxer moved forward against Turkey’s Eda Nur Kilicci in the first round but the local girl used her distance better and she had the advantage on the scorecards. The Turkish boxer had unpredictable movements, she outperformed technically the Australian and she joined the finals of the women’s 51kg.
Turkey’s two young hopefuls such as Salih Samet Oruc and Nurullah Oyan had to meet in the first semi-final of the men’s 50kg in Istanbul today. Oruc worked from longer distance and she felt the tempo better in the first and second rounds therefore he had the advantage after six minutes. Oruc reduced his speed in the third round to save power and he was more static but his skills were enough to win the first male semi-final of the day.
The Uzbek management decided to send the 2021 Asian Champion Sitora Turdibekova to the Ahmet Comert Tournament instead of the current Asian Boxing Championships. The 24-year-old Paris Olympian controlled all of the three rounds against Turkey’s Berfin Polat and she joined the final of the women’s 60kg. Turdibekova’s final opponent will be another Turkish boxer, Esmanur Lok who eliminated Australia’s Jasmine Poole in the second semi-final.
Turkey’s Vedat Kacar had to meet his teammate, the talented Alperen Yilmaz in the semi-finals of the men’s 75kg division. After the first tactical round, Kacar turned up the heat and his strategy worked well to beat an experienced opponent in the last four. He will now face for the title Australia’s Toby Reading who had a successful mission against Turkey’s Berke Sadettin Sahap.
Ukraine’s Anastasia Chernokolenko earned her first World medal still back in 2014 and she moved down two weight categories since that success. The veteran Ukrainian used her distance better against Serbia’s World bronze medallist Nikolina Gajic and she was better minutes by minutes in the exchanges. Chernokolenko’s efforts guaranteed her spot in the final of the women’s 70kg where she will be boxing with her 14-years-younger teammate, the European Youth Champion Anastasia Taran.
Moldova’s Andrei Zaplitnii competed in dozens of competitions in the recent 10 years and he had the routine to beat Turkey’s Muhammet Yagiz Tunc in the semi-finals of the men’s 90kg. The Moldovan controlled all of the three rounds from his best fighting range and he can expect a hard final battle in Istanbul.
Germany’s new national team member in the women’s squad, Suada Ibraimovski is a newcomer in the international stage of boxing but she tried to use top footwork to avoid her opponent’s attacks. Uzbekistan’s Robiyakhon Bakhtiyorova ruled the middle of the ring in their semi-final bout at the 48kg and her routine was decisive today.
Ukraine’s Ivan Zavadskyi dictated the tempo against Ireland’s World Championships competitor Adam Hession and he took the lead after three minutes. The Irish boxer switched into a higher tempo and he tried to catch the Ukrainian was Zavadskyi delivered his best performance with perfect timing in the semi-finals of the 60kg.
Turkey’s Erivan Barut and Ireland’s Niamh Fay both earned gold medals at the 2022 edition of the European U22 Boxing Championships in different weight categories. The Irish boxer controlled the second round impressively and she had the stamina in the third to beat her top opponent. Fay will now meet for the title of the women’s 57kg Serbia’s Jelena Zekic who has more than 10 years of international experience.
Kazakhstan’s Bakytzhan Aitmukhanov had the technician performance to find the best counter-attacking angles and stopped Australia’s Bilal Souied. The Aussie boxer caught the young Kazakh with powerful combinations and his pressure paid off in the second round when the referee confirmed his RSC victory at the 85kg.
Germany’s Jule Woche was almost unknown before the start of the Ahmet Comert Tournament but after her tough five competition days, she is now a finalist at the women’s 65kg. The German boxer found the best fighting range in the beginning of the second round and she eliminated Romania’s Andra Crinuta Sebe to meet Kazakhstan’s Assem Tanatar for the gold medal.
Kyrgyzstan’s Zafarbek Kamilov and Australia’s Raphael Barone both amazed at the 34th edition of the Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament in Istanbul on Day4.
Such great boxing nations as Australia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan are competing at the Ahmet Comert with strong boxers.
The city of Istanbul will be the host of the next edition of the European Games on June 16-27 in 2027.
The bout of the day
Nihat Adiyan, the Turkish southpaw, had an exceptional footwork in the first round against a top Kyrgyz boxer, the Asian Youth silver medallist Zafarbek Kamilov at the 55kg. The Turkish boxer exceeded the expectations in the second round but Kamilov also increased his tempo in time to remain his winning chance alive. The Turkish boxer was running out of fuel in the third round and the Kyrgyz looked more punctual in the last exchanges which were decisive between them. The 20-year-old Kamilov joined the finals of this strong weight category and he will now meet for the gold medal Semih Gumus of Turkey.
The surprise of the day
Australia’s Raphael Barone, the silver medallist from their recent National Selection Tournament, and Turkey’s Ugur Aydemir had the similar physical skills and conditions therefore the first and second rounds were so equal between them. The new Australian super heavyweight boxer delighted the experts with his performance in the third round and he eliminated a more experienced pugilist.
The Round-up
Ireland’s Caitlin Fryers had strong results among the junior and youth boxing tournaments in the past and she decided to return to the world of boxing. The Irish girl met Australia’s Madeleine Bowen in the quarter-finals of the women’s 51kg and her punched were decisive in the third round when the referee stopped the bout.
The next Australian boxer in this weight class, Leah Anderton is an even younger talent who competed at the U19 World Boxing Championships in 2024. Anderton underlined in the first round against Selcan Oksuzoglu of Turkey that she is the better boxer and her dominance was even stronger in the second. The local girl was not able to repeat to that rhythm and Anderton won their quarter-final bout at the 51kg by large margin of difference.
Serbia’s World Youth bronze medallist Nikolina Dzida had a strong Turkish opponent in the quarter-finals of the women’s 51kg, Eda Nur Kilicci. The Serbian had the fighting spirit and the youthful enthusiasm in this contest but Kilicci worked hard in all the three rounds to win this contest on home soil.
Georgia sent a team also to the Ahmet Comert Tournament and their new super heavyweight boxer, Beka Tserediani looked two-size bigger than Turkey’s Veysel Turan. The powerful Georgian is not experienced in the international yet but he was dominant in this quarter-final bout which finished in the second round.
Ukraine’s Paris Olympian and European U22 Champion Dmytro Lovchinskyi had a tough opponent as first in Istanbul, Germany’s Younes Ouachou at the +90kg. The opening round delivered almost equal number of punches on both sides but the more experienced Ukrainian stepped into the gas in the second. The younger Ouachou was competitive today but his routine is not enough yet to beat such strong boxers as Lovchinskyi.
Turkey’s Berfin Polat and Ukraine’s Veronika Korets had an exciting quarter-final battle at the women’s 60kg weight class today. Polat achieved a bronze medal at the recent European U23 Boxing Championships in Budapest and she found the best fighting distance earlier than her Ukrainian opponent. Korets made a great finish in the third round but her efforts were not enough to turn back this quarter-final bout.
Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova achieved a gold medal at the 2021 Asian Elite Boxing Championships at the age of 19 and he moved up to the 60kg in this Olympic cycle. The Paris Olympian performed strongly in the second and third rounds to beat Turkey’s Evin Erginoguz in their quarter-final.
Jasmine Poole trained in England in the recent years and the Ahmet Comert Tournament is a new challenge for the talented Aussie boxer. She faced Germany’s Ayssa Lopez Martinez in the quarter-finals of the women’s 60kg weight category and the first round was better for the Australian. Poole’s best period was the third against the tiring German boxer and she managed her path to the semi-finals in Istanbul.
Uzbekistan’s Sobirakhon Shakhobiddinova was unstoppable during her junior and youth ages and she earned several Asian titles in the recent years. The 19-year-old Uzbek is now a promising elite boxer and she used her footwork effectively against Kazakhstan’s Assel Toktassyn therefore Shakhobiddinova became the first finalist in Istanbul where she will now meet Ukraine’s Polina Chernenko for the title of the women’s +80kg.
Sayat Ilyasov competed for Uzbekistan in several top events and the current Asian U23 Champion decided to move to Kazakhstan in the previous months. Ilyasov had to face one of the best Kyrgyz boxers of our present days, Omar Livaza but he knew his opponent’s weak points. Ilyasov accomplished his minimum goal reaching the final of the 65kg and his last opponent will be Ilkhomjon Ergashev of Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan’s Assem Tanatar and Serbia’s Anastasija Boskovic had a similar first round in their important 65kg quarter-final bout. The Serbian had the tight advantage on the scorecards but the Kazakh was able to win the entire contest due to a great second round. Another young hopeful in this weight class, Turkey’s Yonca Gul Yilmaz had an easier triumph over Georgia’s Lorena Surmanidze as next.
Azerbaijan’s main elite international competition, the Great Silk Way Tournament opened in Baku with 15 preliminary contests and the new wave of talents made strong impressions in the first day of boxing.
Altogether 29 female and 97 male boxers are participating in the annual Great Silk Way Tournament in the heart of Azerbaijan.
Baku hosted several big events in the recent 20 years, including the Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships in 2011, the Youth World Boxing Championships and the Cadet World Boxing Championships.
The bout of the day
Georgia’s Levan Demurovi competed in five editions of the European Boxing Championships as a junior, youth and U23 boxer. The 19-year-old talent focuses not only the U23 events this year but for the elite competitions as well therefore he increased the number of his training sessions. Demurovi had the footwork to catch a tall boxer, a former European youth medallist Vladislav Gudzi of Moldova to win his opener in Baku.
The surprise of the day
Mohamed Walid Allaoui is a young Algerian talent, a newcomer in their elite national team but he was brave in the first exchanges against Uzbekistan’s Amirbek Jurakulov. The Algerian was never stopped attacking and his pressure paid off already in the first round when the referee stopped their 65kg preliminary contest.
The Round-Up
Kazakhstan’s Timur Kabdeshov competed first in the international stage of boxing in 2016 therefore he was the high favourite against Algeria’s Amine Zenaz in the opening day of boxing. The Kazakh boxer had to do his very best in the third round to beat his North African opponent who exceeded the expectations in their 55kg bout.
Georgia’s Lado Karchava competed in the last edition of the Great Silk Way Tournament and he returned to Azerbaijan with great expectations. The Georgian prepared for a hard battle against Azerbaijan’s Matin Mammadov which was the next hectic bout of the session in Baku where three out of the five judges favoured Karchava.
Azerbaijan’s European U22 Champion and Paris Olympian Nijat Huseynov is famous of his amazing technical skills and he proved some of his boxing skills against Moldova’s Ion Plinga today. Huseynov controlled the first round with his speed superiority and he could also save some energy for the later actions, dominating his 55kg bout today.
Azerbaijan’s Malik Hasanov is one of the top names of the entire Great Silk Way Tournament and he started his campaign in his homeland with a clear success. Hasanov used his distance better than Turkey’s Yigit Us and he controlled most of the exchanges in the three rounds to manage his first success in Baku.
Kazakhstan’s ace in the event, Darkhan Duisebay won the Asian youth title in 2019 and he progressed a lot in the recent two years. The 70kg Central Asian boxer was too experienced for Algeria’s Imad Eddine Benyaha Louai in their preliminary bout today. Kazakhstan’s next success was achieved by Dauren Mamyr who had one of the tightest contests of the day against Algeria’s Mohamed Maoui.
Georgia’s next young talent, the European U23 silver medallist Luka Nikabadze eliminated Azerbaijan’s Rovshan Abbasov in the Round of 16 at the 70kg weight class. Uzbekistan’s Youth World quarterfinalist Akbar Akhmadov won the next preliminary bout in this weight class, he had the stronger punches than Moldova’s Vasile Cebotari.
All of the winners in the third day boxing marched to the semi-finals at the 34th edition of the Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament in Istanbul.
Such great boxing nations as Australia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan are competing at the Ahmet Comert with strong boxers.
The city of Istanbul will be the host of the next edition of the European Games on June 16-27 in 2027.
The bout of the day
Ukraine’s European U23 Champion Dzhamal Kuliyev and Kazakhstan’s World Championships quarter-finalist Nurkanat Raiys both had amazing results in the recent events and they faced each other in one of the top fights of the day. The Ukrainian is a big puncher and he tried to reduce the fighting range to gain the control of the exchanges in the first round. Raiys performed stronger in the second and he had a great finish but Kuliyev was better in this 80kg quarter-final bout today.
The surprise of the day
Australia’s William Mlacic is not a well-known boxer in the European events and he had the disadvantage against Kazakhstan’s Nurmukhan Bekarys after the first round. The Aussie boxer received the best instructions in the first break and he joined back to the business and kept his chance to win the fight after two rounds. Mlacic had the stamina in the third round and he eliminated a more experienced Kazakh boxer, delivering a surprise in the session.
The Round-up
Sayat Ilyasov represented Uzbekistan in several international events in the past but he switched to Kazakhstan this year. The 65kg boxer opened the third day of boxing at the Ahmet Comert Tournament with confident style of boxing and he eliminated Ukraine’s Rasul Guliyev in their quarter-final.
Kyrgyzstan’s historic World silver medallist Omar Livaza will turn only 22 this year but he has all the potential to win top championships as well. The Asian U22 Champion found the best rhythm against Turkey’s Mustafa Colak in the first round and he looked faster and stronger in the exchanges. The Kyrgyz boxer was in different level as his opponent today and he joined the last four at the 65kg weight class.
Uzbekistan sent a few male boxers to the annual Ahmet Comert Tournament and all of them are among the next generations. Ilkhomjon Ergashev is not enough experienced among the elites yet but he had a fantastic first round against Turkey’s Enes Refik Ciftci. After the opening three minutes, Ergashev kept the full control of this 65kg quarter-final and he managed to win the contest by large margin of difference.
Moldova’s Vladislav Vascovschii had a great finish to beat Georgia’s Archil Gaprindashvili in the fourth quarter-final of the men’s 65kg weight class. Three out of the five judges favoured the young Moldovan in the closest contest of the third competition day. Moldova’s best male boxer, the European silver medallist Alexandru Paraschiv was confident against Ukraine’s Mark Lomakin at the 70kg.
Germany’s lone boxer in the entire third competition day was Randy Botikali who had a strong start at the Ahmet Comert on Day2. His opponent from the boxing power Uzbekistan, the Asian Youth Championships competitor Kakhramonjon Fozilov opened the first round with strict punches. Botikali was more active from the second round and the German boxer could turn back their quarter-final bout at the 70kg.
Kyrgyzstan’s next sensation, Ikhtiyar Nishonov is a 22-year-old boxer, but he has already seven years of international experience. The Kyrgyz, who reached the quarter-final at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, controlled the second and third rounds well enough to beat Turkey’s Abdulselam Saman at the 70kg weight class.
Turkey’s Mert Aybuga controlled the first and second rounds against Australia’s Marlon Sevehon to win the entire contest at the 80kg. The next Turkish boxer in this weight category, Emre Parlak had a tough battle against the taller Australian Paul Trainor but he enjoyed the tight 3:2 victory after the last gong.
Kazakhstan’s Youth World Champion from 2024, Oner Seilkhan moved up two categories and he competed at the 80kg today. The 19-year-old Kazakh was dominant against Ukraine’s Artur Kasianov and he delivered a top performance on Day3. The next Kazakh boxer, Mukagali Makhmetaly was not enough shape today and he lost to Australia’s Lachlan Lawson, abandoning their 90kg contest.
Ukraine’s Daria-Olha Hutarina eliminated a top Turkish teenager, the Youth World silver medallist Pinar Belek as first in the women’s 57kg. The Ukrainian was not able to repeat that performance in the opening and the second rounds therefore he suffered a tight loss to another Turkish boxer, Erivan Barut.
Ireland’s European U22 Champion Niamh Fay had the strong strategy against Australia’s Holly Perdikaris and she managed her pathway to the semi-finals of the 57kg easily. Turkey’s Guler Deniz Topuz also defeated an Aussie boxer, Jaymee-Lee Cartwright while Serbia’s Jelena Zekic secured the fourth semi-final spot in this 57kg weight category.
Ukraine’s former World bronze medallist, the veteran Anastasia Chernokolenko eliminated Turkey’s Dilara Sak using her distance well in the bout. Another World Championships bronze finisher in this 70kg weight class, Serbia’s Nikolina Gajic had a hard job against Uzbekistan’s Raykhona Kurbonboyeva but due to her last round, she won their meeting by 3:2 split decision.
Australia’s Emma Smith was smaller than her veteran opponent, Serbia’s Milena Matovic and she is almost a newcomer in the international stage. Despite the previous chances, the Aussie boxer stopped her opponent with heavy punches before Ukraine’s Anastasia Taran eliminated a local girl at the 70kg, Zeliha Ozdemir.
Romania’s Amalia Nita had amazing junior and youth results between 2021 and 2024 and the multiple European Champion is now an ace in the elite squad. The 19-year-old Romanian performed well enough in the second and third rounds to beat Turkey’s Sude Nur Aslan at the 75kg.
Ireland’s Adam Hession, Ukraine’s Daria-Olha Hutarina, Germany’s Randy Botikali and Australia’s Toby Reading were among the heroes at the 34th edition of the Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament in Istanbul on Day2.
Such great boxing nations as Australia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan are competing at the Ahmet Comert with strong boxers.
The city of Istanbul will be the host of the next edition of the European Games on June 16-27 in 2027.
The bout of the day
Ireland’s Adam Hession was member of their national team at the 2025 World Boxing Championships and the 2024 European Boxing Championships as well. The experienced Irish had some issues with the distance in the first round but he stepped into the gas in time to beat Turkey’s Sezgin Acar at the men’s 60kg.
The surprise of the day
Turkey’s Pinar Benek achieved a silver medal at the 2024 Youth World Boxing Championships and she was named as one of the favourites in Istanbul. The youngster was not enough fresh in the first round against Ukraine’s Daria-Olha Hutarina and she could not repeat her previous level of footwork. The Ukrainian caught her from all of the ranges and she won not only the first round but the entire bout at the women’s 57kg.
The Round-up
Turkey’s Emine Kilinc is a promising local boxer at the women’s 51kg but she gained the control in her opener against Ukraine’s Yaroslava Marynchuk in the first round. The Ukrainian was competitive and found the distance only in the third round therefore Kilinc managed to win their meeting by 4:1 split decision today.
Ireland’s Caitlin Fryers and Uzbekistan’s Mukhlisa Khushvaktova both are trying to impress their head coaches and reach the top teams in their homelands. The Irish girl found her rhythm earlier than the younger Uzbek and the first and second rounds were decisive on their women’s 51kg bout.
Uzbekistan’s Kakhramonjon Fozilov was smaller than Turkey’s Cem Kaya but he used his aggressive style of boxing to catch his opponent with heavy shots. The local hopeful equalized his disadvantage in most of the scorecards in the second round but Fozilov had the motivation and the stamina to decide their 70kg bout in the third.
Germany’s Randy Botikali has just joined the national team only in 2025 but he delivered some unexpected victories despite his low number of international bouts. The German dominated the first round against Serbia’s Dzejlan Toskic and he had the 10:8 advantage on the judges’ scorecards after three minutes. The taller Botikali shocked the Serbian with multiple punches in the end of the second round and the referee stopped their 70kg contest.
Uzbekistan’s Uzukjamol Yunusova competed in the level of the Asian Championships as a junior and a youth boxer with titles and medals between 2021 and 2024. The 19-year-old Uzbek maintained the best fighting distance in the first round against Turkey’s Hatice Kubra Gocer and she was still able to increase her rhythm in the second. Yunusova continued the same tempo in the third round therefore she won this 54kg quarter-final bout with confidence.
Moldova’s Iulia Coroli represented her nation in almost all levels of boxing excluding the Olympic Games and after a break, she decided to return to the sport. Her opponent, Kazakhstan’s Gulnar Turapbay received a warning in the first round and she did not find the rhythm in this 54kg bout. The Kazakh ringside abandoned the contest after two minutes and ten seconds and the Moldovan made a great comeback with a guaranteed medal.
Ireland’s Nicole Clyde looked one size bigger than Germany’s Tatiana Obermeier in the next quarter-final at the women’s 54kg. The German was energetic in the first round but Clyde found the best weapons against her from the second, and Clyde joined the medal phase of this weight class. The fourth medallist in this category became Ukraine’s Inna Statkevych who eliminated Kazakhstan’s Tomiris Myrzakul.
Serbia’s Relja Stojkovic has injured in the first exchanges therefore Australia’s experienced Marlon Sevehon advanced to the next stage at the men’s 80kg. Turkey’s Emre Parlak felt the support of the home crowd and he was able to keep the control against Kyrgyzstan’s 20-year-old Atay Asanbekov in all of the three rounds.
Australia’s Holly Perdikaris made her international debut at the recent Montenegro Elite Cup in Budva and she was selected to participate also in Istanbul. The Aussie boxer looked stronger in the exchanges than Kazakhstan’s Zhumakhan Korkem in the first round and she finished their 57kg bout in the second with a stoppage.
Germany’s Denis Bril almost qualified for the Paris Olympics through the last chance event when he was only 20-year-old. Bril moved up to the 60kg last year and his technical skills resulted a clear advantage on the scorecards against Turkey’s Selahattin Cinibulak. Germany’s top talent had an emerging performance in all of the three rounds to win his opening bout at the Ahmet Comert.
Kyrgyzstan’s Paris Olympics silver medallist Munarbek Seyitbek Uulu started his campaign in Istanbul well enough against a good Uzbek rival on Day1 and he used the same style of boxing as next when he faced Australia’s Darcy O’Malley. The Kyrgyz lightweight boxer was patient, waited for the best angles to win the contest but the Aussie youngster proved also his future potential in their meeting.
Serbia arrived to the competition with a fantastic female team and their Jelena Zekic continued the winning path after the Montenegro Elite Cup. The Serbian had to meet Georgia’s newcomer in the elite national team, Khuraman Kasumova and she was too strong for her opponent today.
Following the success of two local boxers such as Vedat Kacar and Berke Sadettin Sahip, Australia’s Toby Reading delivered the next top performance of the session. The 75kg boxer from Down Under used his physical advantage over Turkey’s Sitki Isik and he joined the last four in this weight class.
Kyrgyzstan’s Olympic Games silver medallist Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu returned to the events with a superb success at the 34th edition of the Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament in Istanbul on Day1.
Such great boxing nations as Australia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan are competing at the Ahmet Comert with strong boxers.
The city of Istanbul will be the host of the next edition of the European Games on June 16-27 in 2027.
The bout of the day
Ireland’s Eoghan Quinn started the first round better than Australia’s Paul Trainor and she had the advantages on the judges’ scorecards after three minutes. The Aussie boxer used his distance better in the second therefore the final verdict was depended on their performance in the last period. The taller Australian kept the Irish opponent on long in the third round and he secured his place in the last eight at the 80kg.
The surprise of the day
Turkey’s Seyma Duztas achieved a bronze medal at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool and she was one of the highest hopes of their female team in Istanbul. The Turkish boxer faced Uzbekistan’s Asian Youth Champion Sobirakhon Shakhobiddinova in the quarter-finals of the women’s +80kg. The Uzbek teenager is a newcomer among the elites but her pressure paid off today and she eliminate a Turkish favourite in Istanbul.
The Round-up
Germany’s Jule Woche had some difficulties in the first round against Uzbekistan’s Odinakhon Ismoilova but she looked better and stronger every minutes. Woche, who competed at the Golden Girl in Sweden and the Riga Ladies Boxing Cup in Latvia this year, turned back their 65kg contest with great finish. Her second opponent in the quarter-finals will be Turkey’s Sila Bicil who reached the Top8 at the 2022 European Youth Championships.
Kyrgyzstan arrived to the Ahmet Comert Tournament with their top team while their second line-ups with the younger hopes are participating in the current Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar. Their historic World medallist and Asian U22 Champion Omar Livaza was too smart for Georgia’s Mamuka Jibuti and the 21-year-old Kyrgyz will now meet Turkey’s Mustafa Colak in the quarter-finals of the 65kg.
Kazakhstan’s Nurkanat Raiys was a quarter-finalist at the 2021 World Boxing Championships in Belgrade but due to the Olympic possibility, he moved up to the 80kg this year. The 26-year-old Kazakh adopted the level of his new weight class and he dominated the first and second rounds against Moldova’s Valeriu Razmerita. Raiys saved some fuels for the later actions in the third round but he had the clear success in this preliminary bout.
The European U22 Championships bronze medallist Delil Dadaev of Germany has just recently won the Montenegro Elite Cup earlier this month. The strong German had a close first round against Turkey’s Mert Aybuga in their 80kg meeting but the local opponent stepped into the gas in the second. Despite Dadaev’s efforts in the third round, the Turkish boxer advanced to the quarter-finals of the Ahmet Comert Tournament.
Turkey’s Nurullah Oyan had a big scalp at the 50kg quarter-final in Istanbul where he defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Strandja Memorial Tournament winner Anvarzhan Khodzhiyev. The next Turkish talent, Semih Gumus prepared well to this event and controlled all of the three rounds against Kazakhstan’s Nurlybek Amanat at the 55kg.
Georgia has excellent boxers in the smallest male age group and their Lasha Kereselidze had energetic attacks in the first round against Azerbaijan’s Ujal Musayev. The smaller Georgian caught the Azeri boxer in the second round as well and despite Musayev’s great efforts in the third, Kereselidze managed to win this 50kg quarter-final bout by 3:2 split decision.
Ukraine’s Yelmir Nabiyev had a tight success over Australia’s Jesse Wicks in the quarter-finals of the 55kg which was another spectacular battle in the opening day of boxing. The next Aussie boxer, the Brandenburg Youth Cup silver medallist Taj Harrington worked better in the next bout but he lost to Turkey’s Nihat Adiyan by split decision in the battle of the southpaw athletes.
Kyrgyzstan’s Zafarbek Kamilov joined the international stage of boxing in 2021 when he was only 15-year-old. The Asian Youth silver medallist controlled the first round against Turkey’s Baran Kirkgozler and he had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards. Kamilov landed his punched with perfect timing and due to his dominance in the second round, he won this 55kg battle by unanimous decision.
Uzbekistan’s Robiyakhon Bakhtiyorova claimed a silver medal at the Asian U23 Boxing Championships last summer and she moved back to the 48kg this year. The Uzbek talent had the impressive footwork to stop Turkey’s Aleyna Demirkir with body shots in the first round and she controlled also the second. The local girl found her best rhythm only in the third round too late to turn back their quarter-final bout in Istanbul.
Kyrgyzstan’s first Olympic medallist in boxing, the runner-up from Paris, Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu returned to the international stage in this Ahmet Comert Tournament. The experienced Kyrgyz has been preparing for the Asian Games and he had the perfect counter-attacks in his opener against Uzbekistan’s Tilav Suponov. Seiitbek Uulu dominated the exchanges in all of the three rounds and he started his campaign with a unanimous points decision triumph.
Azerbaijan’s main elite international competition, the Great Silk Way Tournament will be another highlight in the month of April.
The new edition of the Great Silk Way Tournament will begin with its first competition day on April 2 and the finals are scheduled on April 7.
Baku hosted several big events in the recent 20 years, including the Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships in 2011, the Youth World Boxing Championships and the Cadet World Boxing Championships.
Azerbaijan’s top elite competition will welcome several medallists from various European Boxing Championships, and new talents from the previous U19 age groups.
The Australian Boxing has an important year due to the Commonwealth Games and one of the groups of their boxers will participate at the Great Silk Way Tournament as well.
Turkey will host the Ahmet Comert Tournament but the strong country will send boxers also to Azerbaijan’s capital to this parallel competition.
The top boxing nations, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will also participate in Baku despite the current Asian Elite Championships in Mongolia.
The facts of the Great Silk Way Tournament
Name: Great Silk Way Tournament
Competition Period: April 2-7
Venue: Baku, Azerbaijan
Gender: Women & Men
Age Group: Elite
Date of Birth of the boxers: 1986-2007 born boxers
The schedule of the Great Silk Way Tournament
April 1 – Arrivals of the delegations
April, from 11:00 – Sport Entries Check
April 1, 18:00 – Technical Meeting
April 1, 18:30 – Official Draw
April 2, 14:00 – Day1 competition
April 3, 14:00 – Day2 competition
April 4, 14:00 – Day3 competition
April 5, 14:00 – Day4 competition
April 6, 14:00 – Day5 competition
April 7, 14:00 – Day6 competition with the finals
April 8 – Departures of the delegations
The boxers who need to be watched in the Great Silk Way Tournament
- Yelyanur Turganova, Kazakhstan, women’s 48kg – Youth World Champion
- Zhansaya Rakhymberdi, Kazakhstan, women’s 51kg – Bronze medallist from the 2017 Youth World Boxing Championships
- Gamze Soguksu, Turkey, women’s 51kg – Bronze medallist at the European U23 Boxing Championships
- Nilay Yaren Cam, Turkey, women’s 54kg – European U23 Champion
- Nazerke Serik, Kazakhstan, women’s 65kg – Asian Junior Champion
- Eve Bryson, Australia, women’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the Independence Cup
- Ergyunal Sebahtin Sabri, Bulgaria, men’s 50kg – Silver medallist at the European Championships
- Sakhil Alakhverdovi, Georgia, men’s 50kg – European Champion; Bronze medallist at the World Boxing Championships
- Lachlan Shipsey, Australia, men’s 50kg – Silver medallist at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament
- Yasen Radev, Bulgaria, men’s 55kg – Bronze medallist at the European Elite Boxing Championships
- Nijat Huseynov, Azerbaijan, men’s 55kg – Paris Olympian; European U22 Champion
- Zidan Humbatov, Azerbaijan, men’s 55kg – Bronze medallist at the Youth World Boxing Championships
- Tayfur Aliyev, Azerbaijan, men’s 60kg – Bronze medallist at the European Games
- Mahammadali Gasimzada, Azerbaijan, men’s 60kg – Bronze medallist at the Youth World Boxing Championships
- Viktorio Iliev, Bulgaria, men’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the European U23 Boxing Championships
- Zviad Tchotchua, Georgia, men’s 65kg – European U19 Champion
- Malik Hasanov, Azerbaijan, men’s 65kg – Bronze medallist at the European Elite Boxing Championships
- Vasile Cebotari, Moldova, men’s 70kg – Bronze medallist at the European Elite Boxing Championships
- Sarkhan Aliyev, Azerbaijan, men’s 70kg – Bronze medallist at the World Boxing Championships
- Luka Nikabadze, Georgia, men’s 70kg – Silver medallist at the European U23 Boxing Championships
- Talgat Shayken, Kazakhstan, men’s 70kg – Silver medallist from the 2018 Youth World Boxing Championships
- Elnur Abdulaevi, Georgia, men’s 70kg – Silver medallist at the European U19 Boxing Championships
- Saidjamshid Jafarov, Azerbaijan, men’s 75kg – Bronze medallist at the World Boxing Championships
- William Cholov, Bulgaria, men’s 80kg – Silver medallist at the European U23 Boxing Championships
- Murad Allakhverdiyev, Azerbaijan, men’s 80kg – Bronze medallist at the European Games; Paris Olympian
- Bedirhan Kalkan, Turkey, men’s 85kg – Bronze medallist at the European U23 Boxing Championships
- Mahammad Abdullayev, Azerbaijan, men’s +90kg – Silver medallist at the European Games; Paris Olympian
The 34th edition of the Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament will begin with its first competition day in Istanbul on March 30 and the finals are scheduled to take place on April 5.
Istanbul hosted several big events in the recent decades such as the Women’s World Boxing Championships, Junior World Boxing Championships, Cadet World Boxing Championships and the famous Ahmet Comert Tournament.
Such great boxing nations as Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan will be competing at the Ahmet Comert with strong boxers.
The upcoming Ahmet Comert Tournament will be preparation event for the World Boxing Cups, the European Elite Boxing Championships and the European U23 Boxing Championships as well.
The city of Istanbul will be also the host of the next edition of the European Games on June 16-27 in 2027.
The facts of the Ahmet Comert Tournament
Name: 34th Ahmet Comert Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament
Competition Period: March 27 – April 6
Venue: Istanbul, Türkiye
Gender: Women & Men
Age Group: Elite
Date of Birth of the boxers: 1986-2007 born boxers
The schedule of the Ahmet Comert Tournament
March 27-28 – Arrivals of the delegations
March 27-28 – Registrations
March 28-29 – Sport Entries Check
March 29, 16:30 – Technical Meeting
March 29, 17:00 – Official Draw
March 30, 14:00 & 18:00 – Day1 competition
March 30, 17:30 – Official Opening Ceremony
March 31, 14:00 & 18:00 – Day2 competition
April 1, 14:00 & 18:00 – Day3 competition
April 2, 14:00 & 18:00 – Day4 competition
April 3, 14:00 & 18:00 – Day5 competition
April 4, 14:00 & 18:00 – Day6 competition
April 5, 14:00 – Day7 competition with the finals
April 6 – Departures of the delegations
The boxers who need to be watched in the Ahmet Comert Tournament
- Gulnaz Buribayeva, Kazakhstan, women’s 48kg – Asian U22 Champion
- Robiyakhon Bakhtiyorova, Uzbekistan, women’s 48kg – Silver medallist from the Asian U22 Boxing Championships
- Leah Anderton, Australia, women’s 51kg – Bronze medallist from the 2024 U19 World Boxing Championships
- Gulnar Turapbay, Kazakhstan, women’s 51kg – Silver medallist from the Asian U22 Boxing Championships
- Tomiris Myrzakul, Kazakhstan, women’s 54kg – Silver medallist from the Asian U22 Boxing Championships
- Uzukjamol Yunusova, Uzbekistan, women’s 54kg – Silver medallist from the Asian U22 Boxing Championships
- Niamh Fay, Ireland, women’s 57kg – European U22 Champion
- Jelena Zekic, Serbia, women’s 57kg –
- Pinar Benek, Turkey, women’s 57kg – Silver medallist from the Youth World Boxing Championships
- Natalia Shadrina, Serbia, women’s 60kg – European Champion
- Tetiana Dovhal, Ukraine, women’s 60kg – Silver medallist from the Youth World Boxing Championships
- Sitora Turdibekova, Uzbekistan, women’s 60kg – Asian Champion
- Esmanur Lok, Turkey, women’s 60kg – Bronze medallist from the European U23 Boxing Championships
- Anastasija Lukajic, Serbia, women’s 65kg – Bronze medallist from the Women’s World Boxing Championships
- Yonca Gul Yilmaz, Turkey, women’s 65kg – Silver medallist from the Youth World Boxing Championships
- Anastasia Chernokolenko, Ukraine, women’s 70kg – Bronze medallist from the Women’s World Boxing Championships
- Anastasia Taran, Ukraine, women’s 70kg – European Youth Champion
- Nikolina Gajic, Serbia, women’s 70kg – Bronze medallist from the Women’s World Boxing Championships
- Dilara Sak, Turkey, women’s 70kg – Bronze medallist from the Youth World Boxing Championships
- Amalia Nita, Romania, women’s 70kg – European Youth Champion
- Sude Nur Aslan, Turkey, women’s 75kg – Bronze medallist from the Youth World Boxing Championships
- Tatia Bukia, Georgia, women’s 80kg – Silver medallist from the European Youth Championships
- Daria Sazonova, Moldova, women’s +80kg – European Elite Champion; European Youth Champion
- Sobirakhon Shakhobiddinova, Uzbekistan, women’s +80kg – Asian Youth Champion
- Seyma Duztas, Turkey, women’s +80kg – Silver medallist from the European U23 Boxing Championships
- Anvarzhan Khodzhiyev, Kyrgyzstan, men’s 50kg – Gold medallist at the Strandja Memorial Tournament
- Luka Kublashvili, Georgia, men’s 50kg – European U22 Champion
- Taj Harrington, Australia, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist from the 2025 Brandenburg U19 Tournament
- Salah Ibrahim, Germany, men’s 55kg – Cologne Boxing World Cup winner
- Zafarbek Kamilov, Kyrgyzstan, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist in the Asian Youth Boxing Championships
- Munarbek Seyitbek Uulu, Kyrgyzstan, men’s 60kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
- Omar Livaza, Kyrgyzstan, men’s 65kg – Silver medallist from the World Boxing Championships; Asian U22 Champion
- Alexandru Paraschiv, Moldova, men’s 70kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 European Boxing Championships
- Ikhtiyar Nishonov, Kyrgyzstan, men’s 70kg – Quarter-finalist at the 2025 World Boxing Championships
- Oner Seilkhan, Kazakhstan, men’s 70kg – Youth World Champion
- Alperen Yilmaz, Turkey, men’s 75kg – Bronze medallist from the Youth World Boxing Championships
- Dzhamal Kuliyev, Ukraine, men’s 75kg – European U23 Champion
- Delil Dadaev, Germany, men’s 80kg – European U22 Boxing Championships bronze medallist
- Dmytro Lovchinskyi, Ukraine, men’s +90kg – European U22 Champion; Paris Olympian
Following the recent announcement that the National Federations for boxing in Russia and Belarus have had their applications for membership endorsed by the Executive Board of World Boxing (subject to full approval at the next World Boxing Congress in November 2026), the Executive Board of European Boxing, as the continental confederation for boxing in Europe, will meet on 13 April 2026 to establish a process for how this will be implemented into its competition structure.
The process will incorporate all competitions from the senior elite level, such as the forthcoming European Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 15 – 26 September 2026, to the grassroots.
As part of this process, European Boxing will seek guidance from World Boxing and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the conditions for participation in its competitions, which are expected to follow the AIN procedure – ‘Athlètes Individuels Neutres’ (Individual Neutral Athletes) – deployed by the IOC for Russian and Belarusian athletes that competed at the recent 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina.
Under this procedure, boxers from Russia and Belarus participate as individual athletes without a flag or national anthem. Participation will be subject to applicable eligibility and neutrality criteria, in line with the guidance of World Boxing and the IOC.
The meeting of European Boxing’s Executive Board on 13 April 2026 will also consider broader questions regarding the involvement of coaches, officials and administrators from Russia and Belarus in European Boxing activities, in a manner that is consistent with the current international sporting framework.
Lars Brovil, the President of European Boxing said: “The leadership of European Boxing recognises that the endorsement of Russia and Belarus as members of World Boxing means we will need to consider how their participation may be addressed within our competition structures and operations.
“We will be working closely with our existing members, the International Federation and other key stakeholders, including the IOC, to ensure this is done in a way that reflects European Boxing’s commitment to strong governance, sporting integrity and a competitive environment that prioritises boxers and supports the continued development of Olympic boxing.”
Following the meeting on 13 April 2026, European Boxing will circulate a communique to all member National Federations outlining the agreed approach in the days following the meeting. Until that point, the current ways of working will apply in competitions and at all levels of European Boxing’s operations.
Latvia’s Romans Iljins, Lithuania’s Simonas Puniskis, and Germany’s Dietrich Hermann won the best finals at the 21stedition of the Danas Pozniakas U19 Youth International Boxing Tournament in Vilnius, Lithuania today.
Armenia, Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, host Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine were the participating nations in the event. Among them Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Germany earned at least one title in the city of Vilnius.
Boxers who were born in 2008 or in 2009 were eligible to participate in the 21st Danas Pozniakas Youth Tournament.
The bout of the day
Latvia’s next finalist, Romans Iljins dominated his quarter-final bout against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Sychevskyi and he eliminated Lithuania’s promising Arturas Majauckas in the last four. The Latvian southpaw focused on his defence and he tried to find the best angles in the attacks against Lithuania’s European Junior Championships competitor Giedrius Bacianskas. After the tactical first round, Iljins was more punctual in the exchanges, and he bagged Latvia’s second gold medal in Vilnius.
The surprise of the day
Lithuania’s Dovydas Kerpe eliminated one of the favourites of the 60kg, Czechia’s Dorian Kropog in the semi-finals and he met Simonas Puniskis for the title of the Danas Pozniakas. Kerpe was not only taller than his compatriot but he landed quicker punches from his safest distance in the first round. Kerpe’s hooks were dangerous but Puniskis found the best range in the second and his jabs landed in the target area. The final verdict was depended on their performance in the last round when Puniskis’ activities guaranteed for him the success.
The Round-Up
Lithuania’s Vitas Bytautas and Poland’s Szymon Griszyn met in the first final of the Danas Pozniakas Tournament in Vilnius. The Polish southpaw looked more active than his Lithuanian opponent and he had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards. Griszyn was not exhausted in the last round, he launched quicker actions than Bytautas and he celebrated a well-deserved success at the 50kg weight class.
Moldova’s Damian Grisman eliminated Ukraine’s Matvey Kolupay and the European Junior quarter-finalist Mateusz Adamski during his road to the final of the 55kg. Grisman’s final opponent was Latvia’s Denys Bulchenko, a taller opponent, who tried to keep the Moldovan on long from the first seconds. Grisman was patient in all of the three rounds but Bulchenko’s long-distance tactics worked better today and the Latvian earned the gold medal in Vilnius.
Poland’s southpaw Aleksander Sikora and Lithuania’s Edvin Drutel met in the final of the 85kg weight class which was the fourth bout in the session. The taller Polish used his jabs to stop Drutel’s attacks but the Lithuanian was faster in the exchanges to reach Sikora. The local boxer reduced the fighting distance successfully in most of the actions and he claimed Lithuania’s next gold medal on home soil.
Lithuania’s Lukas Petraska eliminated Poland’s Samuel Kulik in the first semi-final of the 70kg and he met another Polish talent, Kewin Trukawka, for the title. The European U19 Championships competitor Lithuanian landed nice left-handed punches in the first round but Trukawka worked more from the second to win their meeting.
Following Matas Naumcev’s success over his teammate, Kajus Bogusis, one of the most anticipated final was held at the 80kg. Germany’s European U19 quarter-finalist Dietrich Hermann had strong performance in the entire competition, and he had the same strategy against Armenia’s No.1 in this age group, the European Youth Champion Samvel Siramargyan. The 18-year-old German used his longer reach perfectly in many of the exchanges and his physical advantages decided their final bout.