Greece’s Alexandros Tsaptzis and Latvia’s Timurs Gulbis eliminated experienced rivals in the eighth session of the European U19 Boxing Championships Loznica, Serbia.

Altogether 354 boxers from 36 nations are participating for the 20 titles and the 80 available medals in the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The bout of the session

Scotland’s Liam Boyd faced Lithuania’s Simonas Puniskis in the next Round of 16 bout at the men’s 60kg weight class. The Lithuanian had a tight loss in the preliminary round of the Brandenburg U19 Cup to the eventual winner Ukrainian and he looked also well-prepared to this contest in Loznica. The taller Scottish tried to keep the best distance and he found the rhythm in the end of the first round against the Baltic boxer but he got a warning in the second. Boyd, who started boxing still back in 2014, used up his routine to eliminate Lithuanian and he needs only one further step to achieve a medal in Loznica.

The surprise of the session

Latvia’s Timurs Gulbis faced a technician rival, Romania’s Robert Buzas, who was a quarter-finalist in the last European U19 Boxing Championships in Ostrava. The Latvian made strong pressure in the first round and he surprised the 18-year-old Romanian with his powerful combinations. Gulbis was never stopped attacking and after the third standing count the Serbian referee stopped their 70kg bout.

Italy’s Matteo De Micco was the favourite against Greece’s Alexandros Tsaptzis and he took the lead on the scorecards after three minutes. The Greek boxer did not give up the contest and he landed more punches from the second round which was the turning point of their preliminary bout. Tsaptzis had the stamina in the final period to beat the more experienced Italian and he celebrated an emotional victory in Loznica today.

The Round-Up

Italy’s Daniele Fabi, the European U17 Champion had a hard tactical contest against Spain’s Rodrigo Sanchez Herranz in the Round of 16 at the men’s 60kg. Their bout was the first in the evening session and that delivered excellent level of boxing between the two Mediterranean athletes. The 17-year-old Fabi was slightly better in the exchanges and his long-distance tactics paid off in this nice technical contest.

Moldova’s Nichita Negruta had a massive height advantage against Turkey’s Furkan Avar in the next preliminary bout at the 60kg. The Moldovan southpaw tried to be quick in the first round but the Turkish boy caught him with heavy punches and he took the lead after three minutes. The Moldovan had nice technical skills but he was not enough speedy to avoid Avar’s attacks therefore the Turkish joined the quarter-finals.

Slovakia’s Kristian Harasnik had several impressive international results in the past and he had the routine and the skills to handle the tactical issues against Belarus’ Mikita Kasatski. The Slovakian dictated the tempo in the first round and all of the five judges favoured him after three minutes of fight. The Slovakian had the best rhythm in all of the three rounds against the young Belarusian and he deserved to win their bout in the Round of 16.

Georgia’s southpaw, Akaki Basaria moved a lot on feet to find the best attacking positions against Lithuania’s Lukas Petraska and he won the first round 4:1. The 18-year-old Georgian is a titleholder in the European U19 Boxing Championships and after the first break, he showed more from his boxing skills. The Georgian felt that he can finish the bout in the second round and he made that happen securing his place in the last eight at the 70kg.

Germany’s Yanis Heger defeated Hungary’s Levente Turos in the Brandenburg U19 Cup in Frankfurt an der Oder and they two talents met once again in the European U19 Championships. The German and the Hungarian both made it clear in the first seconds that they want to fight today and landed dozens of punches in the opening three minutes. The referee counted the German twice, the Hungarian once during the battle which ended with the same result as one month ago, Heger won their manly battle.

Armenia’s European Champion Samvel Siramargyan demonstrated his power once again in Loznica, he smashed Romania’s George Sebastian Balan and he became the first quarter-finalist at the men’s 80kg weight category. Russia’s Prokhor Startsev demonstrated his power against Latvia’s Kirils Salkovskis and his dominance turned into a stoppage in the third round in this weight class.

Germany’s 18-year-old Dietrich Hermann used his longer hands to keep Belarus’ Prudnikau on long and he accomplished his goal in this contest. The German, who earned gold medals at the Danas Pozniakas and the Brandenburg U19 Cup, controlled all of the three rounds against the smaller Belarusian athlete and he deserved to win this Round of 16 bout at the men’s 80kg division. Hermann advanced to the quarter-finals of the European U19 Boxing Championships for the second time after the Ostrava edition.

Moldova’s Timofei Magduc had a tight victory over Lithuania’s Donat Bartosevic and he reached his career highlight with a spot in the quarter-finals at the European U19s. Serbia’s Djordje Djoric finished his bout quickly against Estonia’s Daniil Panin and he also advanced to the last eight at the 80kg division. Italy’s Tiberio Nocadello had a difficult fight against Spain’s Efosa Wisdom Igbinovia but his speed decided their meeting in this weight class.

Croatia, Russia, Czech Republic, England, Turkey and Serbia are the first medallist nations at the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica following the busy ninth session.

Altogether 354 boxers from 36 nations are participating for the 20 titles and the 80 available medals in the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The bout of the session

Lithuania’s best U19 hope in the competition, Jelizaveta Jakimova had to wait until the fifth competition day to step into the ring in Loznica. She won several preparation tournaments this year including the Brandenburg U19 Cup and she opened the first round in attacking style against Ireland’s Carley O’Herron. The 18-year-old Lithuanian proved that she is one of the favourites at the women’s 54kg weight category, eliminating a good Irish girl from the competition.

The surprise of the session

Armenia’s Eva Khlghatyan won her opening bout in the Round of 32 two days ago but she had a hard tactical job against Bulgaria’s Margarita Parpulova. The Bulgarian had at least 15cm height advantage and she was able to keep her smaller Armenian opponent on long which looked perfect for her. Parpulova is a newcomer in the international stage but her physical skills decided their bout at the 54kg and she won the battle of the southpaw boxers in the first contest of the day.

The Round-Up

Ukraine’s Daria Liahotska competed in her first European Boxing Championships as an U15 boxer four years ago and she was more experienced than Germany’s Katalina Yaso. The smaller German launched several right-handed hooks in the first round but the Ukrainian dictated the tempo of this Round of 16 bout. The 18-year-old Ukrainian used her longer hands effectively in the second round to win their contest by 4:1 split decision.

Russia’s No.1, Kristina Borisenko won the 2024 edition of the European Junior Championships in Bosnia & Herzegovina and the 18-year-old is one of the stars of this competition in Loznica. She was relaxed and landed her punches with perfect timing to stop Switzerland’s best U19 girl, Maelle Bader who won international events in the recent two years. The Krasnodar-based Russian was too strong for the Swiss boxer and the referee confirmed Borisenko’s RSC success in the second round.

Sweden’s best U19 hope, the Golden Girl winner Medina Zaman moved back a few steps before she landed her counter-attacking punches in style to keep Azerbaijan’s European Junior Champion Amina Taghi on long distance. The 17-year-old Azeri used better strategy in the second round but Zaman’s great finish decided their close Round of 16 bout in Loznica and she became the first Swedish in the quarter-finals.

Russia’s Anastasia Golunova is the next ace in their women’s U19 team and she started the Round of 16 bouts at the women’s 57kg with a quick success. The European Junior Champion Golunova made strong pressure from the first seconds to beat Germany’s Charlotte Kienel and she celebrated her fast RSC victory. The next favourite of this weight category, England’s Siobhan Haley stopped Armenia’s Anahit Harutyunyan in another one-sided bout.

Ukraine’s Uliana Ovsepian had strong pedigree from the previous championships and international tournaments and she gave in everything to get the control from the first seconds against Belarus’ Darya Svilenak. The Ukrainian performed well in the first and second rounds but she proved her very best in the third, destroying her opponent’s defence therefore Ovsepian marched into the last eight at the women’s 57kg. Hungary’s 17-year-old Zsofia Kiss made the same technician performance against Romania’s Rebeca Micaela Muller.

Spain’s Cristina Peinado and Poland’s Oliwia Wasiakowska made a fantastic preliminary bout at the 57kg, both boxers wanted to win their meeting and fought until their last drop of energies. The Spaniard performed better in the first and second rounds therefore she won their exciting meeting in Loznica. Greece’s Dimitra Kapsimali shocked Ireland’s Leah Hutch in the next 57kg bout, she stopped her rival in the second round, while Serbia’s Jovana Devetakovic won her bout even quicker.

Croatia’s Lorena Horvat, the European medallist, looked highly confident against Sweden’s Paradisia Smesem in the first round and she felt the distance. The Croatian had several excellent jabs in the second and she caught the 17-year-old Swedish with heavy blows in that period. Smesem looked exhausted in the end of the second round therefore Horvat’s dominance was even bigger for the final stage. Horvat earned the first guaranteed medal in the entire European U19 Boxing Championships, making Croatia proud.

Hanan Salmi was born from an Algerian father and a Czech mother and she is a new flag bearer at the women’s 75kg weight category. The Czech used her longer reach against Sudenaz Aydemir and she earned her nation’s first medal in the championship. Serbia’s Sonja Vuksic also impressed in this weight category, she eliminated Ukraine’s Iryna Onopriyenko with top performance. 

England’s Shannon Warren and Thabiso Moyo both earned medals in the 2025 edition of the European U19 Boxing Championships in Ostrava and the duo have the target to earn the gold in Loznica. Warren eliminated Ireland’s Kaysie Cleere 70kg, controlling all of the three rounds in their quarter-final. Moyo, who has strong roots from Zimbabwe, used her technical skills to beat Poland’s Laura Szydlowska, therefore the duo are medallist once again.

Lily Bassett, Ellen Joyce, Patricia Petriman, Andrea Buelga and Ekaterina Nesvetayeva all celebrated emotional quarter-final victories at the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica during the tenth session.

Altogether 354 boxers from 36 nations are participating for the 20 titles and the 80 available medals in the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The bout of the session

England’s multiple European Champion and the World Boxing U19 Future Cup winner Lily Bassett worked from closer distance against Turkey’s Azra Nur Cetin and she received some punches in the first round. The Turkish boxer was not only competitive but following her jabs, the referee counted the English star which made Bassett more active in the second part of the opening period. The 17-year-old English won the first round by 3:2 and she increased her tempo to beat the promising Turkish boxer who exceeded the previous expectations.

The surprise of the session

Spain’s Andrea Buelga surprised England’s Serena Mali in the first round with her effectiveness and she took a tight lead on the scorecards. The Spaniard moved forward to catch the taller English girl and she landed several clear shots while the English tried to keep her long in their 51kg battle. Buelga was more active in the decisive third round and the 17-year-old celebrated a well-deserved and emotional success in the quarter-finals.

The Round-Up

Russia’s rising star, Ksenia Vishnevskaya was patient in the first round against Belarus’ Kryststina Bantsevich and she looked for the best attacking angles. The Russian had great defensive skills and she avoided the Belarusian punches therefore she built up a massive advantage on the judges’ scorecards. Vishnevskaya won all of the three rounds in each scorecard and marched into the semi-finals of the championships at the 48kg.

Poland’s Katarzyna Gornisiewicz and Banuchichak Nasirli met for the next guaranteed medal at the women’s 48kg which delivered a tight success for the Azeri girl. Nasirli was silver medallist in the last edition of the European U19 Boxing Championships and she remained her chance alive to win the gold in Loznica.

Ireland’s Ellen Joyce is the smallest in the women’s 48kg weight class but she had the smart style of boxing to catch and stop Romania’s Selin Ibram in their quarter-final bout, taking her nation’s first medal in Loznica. Her teammate, Kayleigh Byrne advanced to her second U19 semi-final after the Ostrava edition and she bagged the next Irish medal.

Hungary’s Patricia Petriman defeated Azerbaijan’s Gular Huseynova in the Brandenburg U19 Cup in Germany last month and she started the first round with impressive speed but she received a few punches from her European U17 Champion opponent. The Hungarian calmed down in the first break and she was more punctual and effective from the second round to beat Huseynova once again within one month of difference.

Slovakia’s Karolina Kollarova, the European U17 Champion, was the top favourite against Armenia’s Elen Papyan and she underlined in the first round that she is much better today. The 17-year-old Slovakian used her distance and longer hands well enough to beat and stop the smaller Armenian athlete. Russia’s Ekaterina Nesvetayeva also won her quarter-final in the same way as Kollarova, she stopped Germany’s Xenia Scharapinski.

Italy’s Rachele Perna is one of the most experienced female boxers in their national squad despite her age of 17. The Italian was a hard target for Greece’s Paraskevi Tsakalelli and she controlled most of the exchanges to win their 60kg quarter-final today. England’s Lexie Walker was dominant against Lithuania’s Migle Griskonyte and she also managed her pathway to the semi-finals in this weight.

England’s Rihanna Holden and Ireland’s Grace Bailey made a fantastic first round which was a good promotion of women’s boxing in Loznica. The Irish had strong efforts in the opening period and she had the perfect counter-attacks in the second round as well, building up a massive advantage after six minutes of fight. The Irish continued her nation’s impressive winning path and she became the first semi-finalist at the women’s 65kg weight class.

Scotland’s Aaron Sarwar, Romania’s Ionut Madalin Calugar, Montenegro’s Matija Roganovic and Hungary’s Gyula Bozai were the heroes of the fifth session at the European U19 Boxing Championships Loznica, Serbia.

Altogether 354 boxers from 36 nations are participating for the 20 titles and the 80 available medals in the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The bout of the day

Scotland’s Aaron Sarwar began boxing only five years ago and he had a few difficult moments against England’s Brayden Dyer in the first round of the 50kg meeting. The Scotsman was better in the second round and he made an outstanding last period to turn back their contest. The referee counted the English boy two-times in the third round and Sarwar made a stormy comeback to win their Round of 16 meeting.

The surprise of the day

Serbia’s No.1, the Loznica-based Pavle Popovic met another European Junior Champion, Armenia’s Tigran Kirakosyan in the Round of 16 of the men’s 50kg. The 17-year-old Serbian moved forward from the first seconds and he felt the support of the local boxing fans in Loznica. Both boxers worked harder in comparison to their last fight and surprisingly the Armenian won their close meeting by 3:2 split decision.

The Round-Up

Eva Khlgatyan competed mostly in the national level events but she received the right to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships. The Armenian southpaw landed effective counter-punches in the first round Belarus’ Sofya Arlova and she had the advantage in all of the judges’ scorecards after three minutes. The Armenian continued in the same way, she caught Arlova with jabs and she advanced to the Round of 16 of the women’s 54kg weight category.

The Georgians invested a lot of efforts to develop women’s boxing in the previous years and they have now strong options in the younger age groups. Their Nino Bekauri gained the control of her opening bout against Finland’s Janette Vilen and she he the advantage on the scorecards after one round. The Georgian had the footwork and the speed to avoid the attacks of the Finnish boxer which efforts were successful in all of the three rounds.

England’s Jaya Kalsi is one of the main favourites at the women’s 54kg weight category and she opened her long road to the final today. The 17-year-old English overcame Scotland’s Rosie Swailes in the attacks therefore the judges favoured her after three minutes. Kalsi had a flexible strategy today, and her unpredictable movements were too much for the Scottish youngster today.

Croatia’s Lorena Horvat, a former European medallist won the first Round of 16 contest at the women’s 70kg weight category when she outpointed her Polish rival, Zuzanna Skalimowska. England’s Shannon Warren claimed a bronze medal in the last edition in Ostrava therefore her target is the gold this time in this weight class. The 18-year-old English bowed out the first boxer out of her road, Ukraine’s Miroslava Kyryliuk with dominance today.

Russia’s 17-year-old Evgenia Zelenova achieved only a bronze medal in their Junior National Championships last year but the Krasnoyarsk-based athlete has more than four years of ring experience. Following her great combinations, the referee counted her opponent, Greece’s Athina Pozidou and she took the lead on the scorecards. The Russian was too strong for the Greek opponent and she finished the job in the second round to join the quarter-finals at the women’s 70kg.

Bulgaria’s Oktay Nazifov is not the most experienced in their U19 national team yet but he exceeded all of the expectations with his rhythm in the first round. The young Bulgarian shocked Ukraine’s Denys Demenko and the Hungarian referee counted his opponent, and he made that strong effort also in the second. The Ukrainian did not give up and he mobilized all of his power to turn back this Round of 16 contest with a fantastic last round.

Ireland’s European U17 Champion Kristina Jubani will turn 17 only later this year but he is such an amazing talent in this sport and one of the gold medal contenders at the men’s 50kg weight category. Jubani was a hard target for Hungary’s Laszlo Papai and his impressive speed advantage guaranteed a massive advantage on the scorecards after two rounds. The Hungarian moved forward more in the second part of the bout but Jubani’s footwork was strong enough to win this bout unanimously.

Russia’s Daniil Sokolik had a tight advantage after one round when he met Romania’s Ionut Madalin Calugar, the bronze medallist from the European U17 Boxing Championships. The Romanian got the best instructions in the first break and he changed his tactics mostly to counter-attacking style. The Romanian followed the advices and he turned back their 50kg bout with superb performance in the second and third rounds.

Georgia’s Zurab Oboladze earned several medals in top events and he started with a success in Loznica on Day1. The Georgian was not enough shape in the first round against Turkey’s Selcuk Efe Senturk but he changed his strategy in time to turn back their contest at the 85kg. Belarus’ Nazar Stalchuk delivered the next amazing performance in this weight class, he stopped Romania’s Vlad Pustai with heavy shots.

Montenegro’s European U17 Champion Matija Roganovic shocked his opponent in the first round, he knocked down Ukraine’s David Kurskyi which determined the entire bout in their 85kg preliminary. Roganovic made the show in the third round and he stopped his Ukrainian opponent with powerful combinations. Hungary’s Gyula Bozai also won his second contest in Loznica in the same way as Roganovic, he stopped Armenia’s Tigran Sargsyan while Spain’s Samuel Antezana and Croatia’s Niko Goreta also joined the last eight.

Georgia’s Emil Ismailovi and Russia’s Islam Magomedov won excellent contests at the European U19 Boxing Championships Loznica, Serbia in the evening session while England’s Rueben Huczmann delivered the first KO of the event.

Altogether 354 boxers from 36 nations are participating for the 20 titles and the 80 available medals in the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The bout of the day

Georgia’s Emil Ismailovi achieved a bronze medal at the World Boxing U19 Future Cup and he arrived to Loznica as one of the favourites of the men’s 55kg. The 17-year-old Georgian was not able to maintain the best fighting distance in the first round against Belarus’ Zakhar Vialenka but he stepped into the gas from the second. Ismailovi used his longer hands better from the second round and he won this important preliminary bout unanimously.  

The surprise of the day

Russia’s Islam Magomedov and Bulgaria’s Yanko Iliev both are stars of the men’s 55kg weight category but due to the draw, the two athletes had to meet already in the Round of 32. The Russian had a tight 3:2 advantage on the judges’ scorecards after three minutes of fight but the Bulgarian also tried to switch into a higher tempo from the second. Magomedov adopted all of the tactical changes of the Bulgarian side and he joined the last 16 after beating one of the gold medal favourites.

The Round-Up

The evening session has just started but England’s Rueben Huczmann shocked his opponent from Finland, Mike Parhiala with lethal punches. The English 55kg boy spent only one minute in the ring when the referee stopped their unequal contest and confirmed Huczmann’s KO victory after that heavy shot.

The Czechs proved strong development in comparison to the last Olympic cycle and their boxers are all well-prepared physically. Their Dorian Kropog was expected a hard battle against Bosnia & Herzegovina’s experienced Aleksandar Veljovic but he made a quick decision, same as Huczmann in the opening contest of the evening session. Kropog’s body shot was hurt, the Bosnian athlete was on his knee, and the referee confirmed his RSC triumph in the first round.

Romania’s Denis Aurel Alexandrescu, the European U17 silver medallist, had a tough opening round against Sweden’s aggressive Ali Zaheer Changazi. The Swedish boxer tried to put the Romanian under pressure, but Alexandrescu had the great footwork to avoid most of the attacks from Changazi’s side. The Romanian looked more confident from the second round, his strategy worked better therefore it was no doubt, Alexandrescu advanced to the last 16 at the men’s 55kg.

Spain’s Manuel Bueno Jodar was a quarter-finalist at the World Boxing U19 Future Cup and the 17-year-old won the strong Akaki Kakauridze U19 Tournament this May. The Spaniard dictated the tempo against Hungary’s former World Junior bronze medallist Dominik Gombai and he attacked from the first seconds. Bueno was a hard target for the Hungarian and his brilliant style of boxing guaranteed his clear success in the Round of 32 today.

Serbia’s Filip Stanojevic was named among the medal contenders at the men’s 55kg weight category and the local boy gave in everything already in the first round to underline that he is technically better than Greece’s Dimosthenis Zikos. The Serbian had better defensive skills and his counter-punches worked well also in all of the three rounds to won this preliminary bout by large margin of difference.

The Bologna-based Tommaso Orlando earned a silver medal in the last edition of the European U19 Boxing Championships and he used his outstanding footwork to keep Moldova’s Chirill Slepoi on long in their Round of 32 battle. The 18-year-old Italian had the full control on this preliminary bout from the first seconds until the very last one and he enjoyed the third round which was a clear dominance.

Lithuania’s Matas Naumcev switched his stance several times during his bout against Moldova’s Nichita Lisii but his opponent caught him with a heavy punch in the first round. The Danas Pozniakas winner Naumcev landed several single jabs in their meeting and he was able to turn back a close 75kg fight today. His teammate, Kornelijus Kerpe also succeeded in the evening session and he joined the last 16 at the 55kg.

Bulgaria’s Lah Nimani Tournament winner Dzhan Fikret, Azerbaijan’s Adil Zalov, Ukraine’s Konstantyn Halytskyi, and Russia’s Kirill Shankar also won their preliminary bouts at the 75kg. Ireland’s Jason Whelan had a hard-working triumph over Slovakia’s Bornemissza Memorial Tournament winner Tomas Kupcik, which was a small surprise in the last bout of the evening session.

Ukraine’s Nazar Kliuchko, Germany’s Oliver Herz and Spain’s Aaron Santurio won the tightest preliminary battles at the European U19 Boxing Championships Loznica, Serbia during the afternoon session on Day2.

Altogether 354 boxers from 36 nations are participating for the 20 titles and the 80 available medals in the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The bout of the day

Ukraine’s Nazar Kliuchko performed well in his last preparation tournament before the European U19 Boxing Championships but he had a seriously competitive rival, Spain’s Pablo Souto in the Round of 32 of the 65kg. The scores were almost equal after two rounds of fight between them therefore the last three minutes were the decision making today. Souto moved forward in the last round to catch the taller Ukrainian but Kliuchko kept him long to win this crucial battle.

The surprise of the day

Romania’s European U17 silver medallist Florin Nelu Ulmeanu and Germany’s Oliver Herz knew each other from previous competitions and both prepared well tactically to this key Round of 32 contest at the men’s 65kg. The German used his jabs better in the first round and four out of the five judges favoured him after three minutes of fight. Herz closed the second round with a strict jab which supported to increase his advantage and to win this hard contest in Loznica.

The Round-Up

Ireland’s Jason Maher and Slovakia’s Sebastian Chocholacek both have strong international results from the past therefore they had a close contest today. The Irish used his distance slightly better in the first and second rounds and he had a tight advantage on the judges’ scorecards after six minutes of fight. Maher, who began boxing in 2019, had nice uppercuts in the third round and he won their Round of 32 bout by 4:1 split decision which means the Irish will now meet Hungary’s European U17 Champion Istvan Czifra.

Belarus’ Bahdan Shashlykou joined the U19 age group this January after a successful junior career in his homeland. He moved up also to the 65kg which was perfect for his physical condition and he started well against Serbia’s Petar Sandic in the Round of 32. The 17-year-old Belarusian had the best performance in the third round when the Romanian referee counted the Serbian boy therefore Shashlykou can prepare to the Round of 16.

Georgia’s Luka Chkhikvadze is a titleholder in the European U19 Boxing Championships and he opened his campaign successfully against Switzerland’s Loris Vona in the Round of 32 at the 65kg. The 18-year-old Georgian was confident in this preliminary bout and he used his longer reach well to beat the best Swiss U19 boxer today. Sweden’s Wilmer Ekblom Olsson dominated his opener against Estonia’s Artur Kondratenko and the 17-year-old won that preliminary by RSC.

England’s Yashua Flemming is one of the rising stars in their U19 national team who was the favourite against Lithuania’s Arturas Majauckas in the Round of 32 at the 65kg. The English boy, who has 38-1 record from the past, shocked his Lithuanian opponent after two minutes and knocked the Baltic athlete down. Following his serious body shots, the referee stopped their unequal contest in the first round and Flemming marched to the last 16.

Robert Buzas was a quarter-finalist in the last edition of the European U19 Boxing Championships representing Hungary and he switched back to Romania this year. The 18-year-old boxer started slowly against Poland’s Kewin Trukawka but he was more punctual in the second round. The Polish boxer did not give it up and he attacked without any stoppage in the third period but this was perfect for Buzas and the Romanian marched to the last 16 at the 70kg weight class.

Bulgaria’s Vladimir Davidov spent a short time in the ring today, he destroyed Israel’s Orel Kikis in a short preliminary bout at the 70kg. The referee confirmed his RSC success after the second standing count and the Bulgarian advanced to the last 16 in Loznica. Hungary’s Levente Turos, the winner of the annual Bornemissza Memorial Tournament, controlled the first and second rounds well enough to win his preliminary against Albania’s Riduan Gashi.

Spain’s Aaron Santurio had a very difficult but successful mission against Armenia’s Samvel Aslanyan due to his great finish in the next 70kg bout. Georgia’s titleholder, Akaki Basaria also opened his campaign in this weight category, the 18-year-old boxer was tactically better than Israel’s Artur Eytan Prohnevsky today. Ireland’s John Maher continued his nation’s winning path in Loznica, he bowed out Azerbaijan’s Rza Rzayev in this weight class.

The first session of the European U19 Boxing Championships opened with 24 contests in Loznica, Serbia where 354 boxers from 36 nations are participating for the medals.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The bout of the day

Azerbaijan’s European U17 Champion Gular Huseynova tried to gain the immediate control from the first seconds against Serbia’s Natasa Lukic and she used her distance better than the local athlete. The referee counted the Serbian in the second round following the strong actions from the 17-year-old Azeri boxer therefore Huseynova had the massive advantage on the judges’ scorecards. Huseynova still increased her tempo in the third round and she won the opening bout of the entire European U19 Boxing Championships. Huseynova’s next opponent in the last eight of the women’s 51kg will be Hungary’s European Junior silver medallist Patricia Petriman.

The surprise of the day

Slovakia has a fantastic U19 team with several top talents and their Dominika Vnukova opened their campaign against her neighbour, Nicole Kalemba of Poland. The Slovakian landed strict jabs in the first and second rounds and despite her height disadvantage, she worked mostly from longer distance. The Poznan-based Polish received several punches from the Slovakian side but her final round was so impressive that she can make a strong U-turn to win their close bout by 3:2 split decision.

The Round-Up

England’s Serena Mali claimed already medals in the previous editions of the European Boxing Championships and she was so focused in the first round against Romania’s Iasmina Georgiana Moraru. The English landed a powerful punch in the opening minute which was a strong decision-making action to underline that she is better today. Mali used her height advantage effectively in the second and third rounds to finish this 51kg bout before the final gong in Loznica.

Slovakia’s Karolina Kollarova, the defending European U17 Champion, tried to find the best fighting range against Turkey’s Pinar Elcik in the first round but her opponent had a brave strategy. The taller Slovakian outpointed the Turkish athlete in the second part of the contest and with her excellent finish, Kollarova secured her place in the quarter-finals of the women’s 60kg weight category.

Germany’s Xenia Scharapinski dictated the tempo against Hungary’s Nora Illes and the referee counted her rival twice already in the first round. The German felt that she has the potential to finish their contest in the second and Scharapinski won their meeting by RSC. England’s next ace, Lexie Walker used her opener as a warm-up for the later actions against Georgia’s Lika Bukia and she also managed her path to the quarter-finals at the 60kg.

Lithuania’s Migle Griskonyte had a tight success over Ukraine’s Viktoria Rosetska in the next contest of the women’s 60kg weight category and Italy’s favourite, the 17-year-old Rachele Perna defeated Israel’s Malak Fashfsha. Greece’s Paraskevi Tsakalelli exceeded all of the expectations in her opening bout against Poland’s Antonina Biniecka and she also advanced to the quarter-finals in this busy weight category.

Serbia’s Dunja Vuksic is one of the best hopes in their U19 female national team who had the strong motivation in the first round to beat Hungary’s Eszter Toro. The Hungarian claimed a gold medal at the Golden Gloves of Vojvodina U19 Tournament in Serbia less than two months ago but she could not adopt the rhythm of this bout at the 65kg. Vuksic won the first and second rounds in all of the judges’ scorecards and she saved some fuel for the later actions in the third.

The Russians returned to the level of the European Boxing Championships following the approval of the International Olympic Committee, then the World Boxing. Their Ksenia Ovechkina eliminated Armenia’s Hamest Afrikyan at the 51kg, Ekaterina Nesvetayeva was too strong for Romania’s Mirela Elisa Cojocaru, while Bella Zuyeva also stopped her Polish opponent in the first session.

Hungary’s Laszlo Papai lost his first contest at the European U17 Boxing Championships in Kienbaum, Germany last December but he proved his strong progress today among the U19s. The Hungarian not only controlled the first round against the tall Ronen Omelchenko of Israel but the referee stopped his opponent twice. Papai finished the job in the second round after the third standing count and he celebrated his 17^th birthday with a clear RSC success today.

Georgia’s Shalva Beridze is only 17-year-old but he has already more than 140 bouts during his career and the tall boxer not only used his longer reach against Greece’s Rafail Vasilopoulos but he had the advantage in terms of physical skills as well. Beridze was faster than the Greek athlete and he used up all of the angles to decide their contest in the Round of 32 of the men’s 50kg.

The Spanish and the Belarusian boxers made a fantastic evening session at the European U19 Boxing Championships Loznica, Serbia.

Altogether 354 boxers from 36 nations are participating for the 20 titles and the 80 available medals in the European U19 Boxing Championships.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The bout of the day

Montenegro’s European U17 Champion Matija Roganovic and Italy’s Luca Casarsa made a fantastic first round in their 85kg preliminary contest which was a final-level fight in Loznica. The 17-year-old super talented Montenegrin, whose elder brother is member of the elite national team, landed several punches from closer distance and he used his strength today. Roganovic had the advantage in several aspects today and he enjoyed a unanimous success in his opening contest. 

The surprise of the day

Spain’s 17-year-old Rodrigo Sanchez Herranz worked hard in the international pre-training camp of the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica and his efforts paid off in his opening bout. The Spaniard dictated the tempo against Germany’s strong Beker Nemer from the first seconds and the referee stopped their contest in the second. Sanchez joined the last sixteen of the men’s 60kg weight class with superb opening performance on Day1.

The Round-Up

Italy’s Daniele Fabi has excellent technical skills and he tried to use his best tempo to catch England’s George Francis in the first round. The Italian led 3-2 on the judges’ scorecards after three minutes of fight and he could do even better in the second against the tough English opponent. The 17-year-old Italian was patient and waited for the best moments in the exchanges and his outstanding style of boxing guaranteed for him a place in the last 16 at the men’s 60kg division.

Ireland’s Kalib Walshe had excellent pedigree from the past and he worked hard in all of the three rounds to show his extraordinary skills against Israel’s Ilai Avraham, continuing his nation’s strong start in Loznica. Lithuania’s Simonas Puniskis celebrated a quick success against North Macedonia’s Semi Elmazi and he managed his pathway to the last 16 at the men’s 60kg weight class easily.

Serbia’s Nikola Bogatinoski and Turkey’s Furkan Avar made a real manly fight in the first round of their 60kg preliminary bout. The Serbian caught his Turkish opponent in the end of the opening round and he had a tight advantage after three minutes. Avar received the right instructions in the first break and his efficiency was significantly increased in the second round. Bogatinoski started the third round with great hooks but Avar’s strength decided their busy Round of 32 contest in Loznica.

Slovakia’s Kristian Harasnik and Latvia’s Bogdan Pronins both have the routine from the previous main international tournaments and championships therefore the first round of their meeting was close. The Slovakian had the tight advantage after the first round and he was still able to increase the rhythm from the second period. Harasnik enjoyed the bout in the last round and he had a comfortable success against a strong Baltic opponent today.

Armenia’s Samvel Siramargyan, the European Youth Champion, was smaller than Israel’s Dzhozef Shalelashvili but he ruled the middle of the ring and he could reduce the fighting distance successfully. The 18-year-old Armenian proved that he is a gold medal contender at the men’s 80kg weight class and he dominated all of the three rounds against the inexperienced boxer from Israel.

Spain’s Efosa Wisdom Igbinovia is a powerful puncher and the European Junior bronze medallist used excellent footwork and strong punches to keep the control against Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Marsel Fazlic in the evening session. Igbinovia had amazing defensive skills and he landed his counter-attacks with perfect timing to win their preliminary bout at the men’s 80kg weight category. His teammate, Samuel Antezana made a wonderful debut at the 85kg, he eliminated a more experienced Irish, Shaun Doohan.

Georgia’s World Boxing Future Cup hero Davit Mkhetsadze and Azerbaijan’s Renat Giyasli dictated world-class tempo in their meeting today and the first became the winner and kept his chance alive to be a medallist in Loznica. Russia’s Prokhor Startsev won the battle of the southpaw boxers against Turkey’s Toprak Salman which was one of the best contests at the men’s 80kg today.

The Belarusians made strong efforts in the evening session, firstly their Mikita Kasatski eliminated his Bulgarian opponent, Antonio Damyanov. Secondly his teammate, Nazar Stalchuk was too smart for one of the best Greek boxers, Ioannis Poumpouridis at the 85kg division. The third succeeded Belarusian was Ilia Nahornyi, he stopped Abdulkadir Daci of North Macedonia at the 90kg.

The Technical Meeting of the European U19 Boxing Championships confirmed the participation of 354 boxers from 36 nations in Loznica.

Altogether 123 women and 231 men will be competing for the 20 available titles in the event which made this European U19 Boxing Championships bigger than the previous editions.

Boxers who were born in 2008 and in 2009 are eligible to participate in the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica.

Mr. Uros Puskovic, the Secretary General of the Serbian Boxing Federation, welcomed all of the participants during his speech in the Technical Meeting.

Mr. Jakov Peterson of Estonia, the Technical Delegate introduced the participating status, the event schedule, the eligibility, the weight classes, the official draw, the daily weigh-in, the technical and competition rules, the sanctions, the behaviour during the bouts, the boxers’ uniforms, the accreditations, the anti-doping procedures, media rules, the awarding ceremony, and the disciplinary code of conduct.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are the participating nations in Loznica.

The Sport Hall Lagator is the competition venue in Loznica where the bouts will start from 14:00 on August 13. The finals of the European U19 Boxing Championships are scheduled to be held in two sessions on August 21.

Sting is the equipment provider of the European U19 Boxing Championships and the Xempower arranges the scoring system. 

There will be no seeding in the European U19 Boxing Championships, only in the elite competitions based on the World Boxing’s rules.

The schedule of the European U19 Boxing Championships

August 12, 18:00 – Technical Meeting

August 12, 19:00 – Official Draw

August 12, 20:00 – Opening Ceremony

August 13, 14:00 & 17:30 – Day1 competition

August 14, 14:00 & 17:30 – Day2 competition

August 15, 14:00 & 17:30 – Day3 competition

August 16, 14:00 & 17:30 – Day4 competition

August 17, 14:00 & 17:30 – Day5 competition

August 18, 14:00 & 17:30 – Day6 competition

August 19 – Rest Day

August 20, 14:00 & 17:30 – Day7 competition with the semi-finals

August 21, 14:00 & 20:00 – Day8 competition with the finals

August 22 – Departure of the delegations

Impressive 371 registered boxers from 36 nations will make the upcoming European U19 Boxing Championships to a record-breaking event for this age group.

The European U19 Boxing Championships for the female and male boxers will take place in the city of Loznica between August 11 and 22. The arrival day for the competition is August 11, the first competition day is August 13 while the finals will take place on August 21.

The boxers who need to be watched at the European U19 Boxing Championships

- Lily Bassett, England, women’s 48kg – Gold medallist at the 2026 World Boxing Future Cup; Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships; European Junior Champion in 2024

- Gular Huseynova, Azerbaijan, women’s 48kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Banuchichak Nasirli, Azerbaijan, women’s 51kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Kayleigh Byrne, Ireland, women’s 51kg – Bronze medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Hamest Afrikyan, Armenia, women’s 51kg – European Junior Champion in 2024

- Patricia Petriman, Hungary, women’s 51kg – Silver medallist in the 2024 European Junior Championships

- Serena Mali, England, women’s 51kg – Bronze medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Iasmina Georgiana Moraru, Romania, women’s 51kg – Bronze medallist at the 2026 World Boxing Future Cup

- Andrea Buelga Garcia, Spain, women’s 51kg – Kakauridze U19 Tournament winner; Boxam Tournament winner

- Zuzanna Golebiewska, Poland, women’s 54kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Jaya Kalsi, England, women’s 54kg – Bronze medallist at the 2026 World Boxing Future Cup; Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Jelizaveta Jakimova, Lithuania, women’s 54kg – Brandenburg U19 Cup winner; Danas Pozniakas winner

- Natalia Maria Semeniciuc, Romania, women’s 54kg – European Junior Champion in 2024

- Amina Taghi, Azerbaijan, women’s 54kg – European Junior Champion

- Siobhan Haley, England, women’s 57kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Zsofia Kiss, Hungary, women’s 57kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Oliwia Wasiakowska, Poland, women’s 57kg – Bronze medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Karolina Kollarova, Slovakia, women’s 60kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Rachele Perna, Italy, women’s 60kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Rihanna Holden, England, women’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Andreea Timeea Tapu, Romania, women’s 70kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Lorena Horvat, Croatia, women’s 70kg – Silver medallist in the 2024 European Junior Championships

- Shannon Warren, England, women’s 70kg – Bronze medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Thabiso Moyo, England, women’s 75kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Melana Nelk, Estonia, women’s 75kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Melisa Eroglu, Turkey, women’s 80kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 European Junior Boxing Championships

- Kristian Jubani, Ireland, men’s 50kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Ionut Madalin Calugar, Romania, men’s 50kg – Bronze medallist at the 2026 World Boxing Future Cup; Bronze medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Tigran Kirakosyan, Armenia, men’s 50kg – European Junior Champion

- Pavle Popovic, Serbia, men’s 50kg – European Junior Champion

- Shalva Beridze, Georgia, men’s 50kg – Bronze medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Tommaso Orlando, Italy, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Yanko Iliev, Bulgaria, men’s 55kg – European Junior Champion

- Emil Ismailovi, Georgia, men’s 55kg – Bronze medallist at the 2026 World Boxing Future Cup

- Denis Aurel Alexandrescu, Romania, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Nihat Gasimov, Azerbaijan, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 European Junior Boxing Championships

- Chirill Slepoi, Moldova, men’s 55kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 European Junior Boxing Championships

- Manuel Bueno, Spain, men’s 55kg – Kakauridze U19 Tournament winner

- Daniele Fabi, Italy, men’s 60kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Kalib Walshe, Ireland, men’s 60kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Kristian Harasnik, Slovakia, men’s 60kg – European Junior Champion

- Luka Chkhikvadze, Georgia, men’s 65kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Istvan Czifra, Hungary, men’s 65kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Florin Nelu Ulmeanu, Romania, men’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Shahin Aslanov, Azerbaijan, men’s 65kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Suren Katvalyan, Armenia, men’s 65kg – European Junior Champion

- Akaki Basaria, Georgia, men’s 70kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Bohdan Kozak, Ukraine, men’s 70kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- John Maher, Ireland, men’s 70kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Artur Eytan Prohnevsky, Israel, men’s 70kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 European Junior Boxing Championships

- Artyom Stepanyan, Armenia, men’s 70kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 European Junior Boxing Championships

- Tomas Kupcik, Slovakia, men’s 75kg – Bornemissza Memorial Tournament winner

- Davit Mkhetsadze, Georgia, men’s 80kg – Gold medallist at the 2026 World Boxing Future Cup; Silver medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Samvel Siramargyan, Armenia, men’s 80kg – European Junior Champion

- Dietrich Hermann, Germany, men’s 80kg – Danas Pozniakas winner; Brandenburg U19 Cup winner

- Ioannis Poumpouridis, Greece, men’s 85kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Kajetan Bajzert, Poland, men’s 85kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Matija Roganovic, Montenegro, men’s 85kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Zurab Oboladze, Georgia, men’s 85kg – Bronze medallist at the 2026 World Boxing Future Cup; Silver medallist at the 2024 European Junior Boxing Championships

- Daumantas Vilkas, Lithuania, men’s 90kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U19 Boxing Championships

- Ahmed Abdulgamidov, Germany, men’s +90kg – Brandenburg U19 Cup winner

- Hakan Deniz Coskun, Turkey, men’s +90kg – Gold medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Oleksandr Khomenko, Ukraine, men’s +90kg – Silver medallist at the 2025 European U17 Boxing Championships

- Safdar Mammadzada, Azerbaijan, men’s +90kg – Silver medallist at the 2024 European Junior Boxing Championships

Only a few days left until the start of the European U19 Boxing Championships, which could be a record-breaking event based on the number of participating nations and athletes.

The European U19 Boxing Championships for the female and male boxers will take place in the city of Loznica between August 11 and 22. The arrival day for the competition is August 11, the first competition day is August 13 while the finals will take place on August 21.

Serbia hosted the 2024 edition of the European Elite Boxing Championships in Belgrade and their National Federation has the experience to organize top competitions in our continent including the Belgrade Winner Tournament, the Golden Gloves of Vojvodina, the Nations Junior Cup, the Golden Gloves Tournament and others.

Altogether 10 women and 10 men boxers will earn the titles of the European U19 Boxing Championships in Loznica where the event will be broadcasted live to make full transparency.

The city of Loznica is located near to the Bosnian & Herzegovian border in the Western part of Serbia and its picturesque landscape will guarantee the fantastic atmosphere during the European U19 Boxing Championships in the upcoming days.

The President of European Boxing, Mr. Lars Brovil, the Chairman of the Secretary General of European Boxing, Mr. Martin Volke and the President of the Serbian Boxing Federation, Mr. Nenad Borovcanin signed the official contract of the upcoming European U19 Boxing Championships in Belgrade on May.

The management of the European Boxing will organize five continental events between August 11 and November 26 this year and the Loznica event will be the first on this busy competition order.

The calendar of events is very busy for the U19 boxers this year with the World Boxing Future Cup, the World Boxing U19 Championships, and the Youth Olympic Games, but the new edition of the European U19 Boxing Championships would support the continent’s boxers to develop.

The city of Ostrava hosted the last edition of the European U19 Boxing Championships on October 2025 which was a historic milestone for European Boxing. England won the medal standings in Ostrava ahead of Georgia, Turkey, France, Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Azerbaijan, Greece and Czechia.

The facts of the European U19 Boxing Championships

Name: European U19 Boxing Championships

Competition Period: August 13-21

Venue: Loznica, Serbia

Gender: Women & Men

Age Group: U19

Date of Birth of the boxers: 2008-2009 born boxers

The schedule of the European U19 Boxing Championships

August 11 – Arrival of the delegations

August 11 – Accreditations

August 12 – Boxing Entries Check at Hotel Stobex

August 12, 19:00 – Technical Meeting

August 12, 20:00 – Official Draw

August 13, 12:00 & 16:00 – Day1 competition

August 14, 11:00 & 16:00 – Day2 competition

August 15, 11:00 & 16:00 – Day3 competition

August 16, 11:00 & 16:00 – Day4 competition

August 17, 11:00 & 16:00 – Day5 competition

August 18, 11:00 & 16:00 – Day6 competition

August 19 – Rest Day

August 20, 16:00 – Day7 competition with the semi-finals

August 21, 17:00 – Day8 competition with the finals

August 22 – Departure of the delegations

Prague, 4 August 2026 – European Boxing has appointed Beatrice Bastian as its new Competition Manager. She will officially take up her position on 1 September 2026, with her initial focus on the preparation and delivery of the upcoming European Elite Boxing Championships.

Beatrice Bastian brings more than 15 years of experience in international boxing administration, competition management and technical officiating.

Her connection with boxing began in early childhood. Although she was a competitive artistic gymnast, she grew up in a boxing family. Her father was a boxing sports scientist at the German University of Physical Culture (DHfK) Leipzig and later at the Institute for Applied Training Science (IAT) Leipzig before becoming Head Coach of the German Boxing Association (DBV).

After studying Law and Languages, she entered international boxing administration. Between 2011 and 2015, Beatrice Bastian served as Team Manager of the German franchise in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) before joining the Local Organising Committee of the 2017 World Championships in Hamburg.

She later became Team Manager for Germany's U17, U19 and U22 national teams, leading German delegations at numerous European and World Championships. At the same time, she established herself as an experienced competition organizer, serving as Competition Manager of the Brandenburg Cup and the 2026 European Boxing U17 Championships in Kienbaum. She also served on the IBA Women's Committee, contributing to the international development of women's boxing.

In 2018, Beatrice Bastian qualified as an International Technical Official (ITO). Her outstanding performances led to appointments at several Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournaments during the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle, culminating in her selection as an International Technical Official for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Following the establishment of World Boxing, she continued to officiate at the highest international level, serving as an ITO at several World Boxing Cup events and at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool. In 2026, she became a World Boxing Certified Technical Delegate, one of the sport's highest technical qualifications.

As Competition Manager, Beatrice Bastian will oversee the planning, coordination and operational delivery of all European Boxing competitions. Reporting to Secretary General Martin Volke, she will work closely with member federations, Local Organising Committees, technical officials and World Boxing to ensure the highest standards across all European Championships and international tournaments.

European Boxing President Lars Brovil welcomed the appointment:

"We are delighted to welcome Beatrice Bastian to European Boxing. She has built an outstanding international reputation through her work as a Competition Manager and International Technical Official, including at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Her knowledge, professionalism and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our competition structure. I am confident that Beatrice will make a significant contribution to raising the quality and consistency of all European Boxing Championships and international events."

Beatrice Bastian added:

"I am honoured to join European Boxing and grateful for the trust placed in me. My immediate priority will be the successful preparation of the upcoming European Elite Championships, and I look forward to working closely with our member federations, officials and organizers to further strengthen the quality and professionalism of boxing competitions across Europe."

With extensive experience in Olympic qualification tournaments, World Championships, the Olympic Games and international competition management, Beatrice Bastian brings exceptional expertise to European Boxing. Her appointment marks another important step in the organization's commitment to delivering world-class competitions and supporting the continued growth of Olympic-style boxing throughout Europe.

European Boxing Unite

Croatia, Italy, Ukraine, Montenegro, Algeria, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Japan, Kosovo and Afghanistan earned gold medals at the 24^th edition of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Talijan Memorial Tournament in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina today.

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s next international event gave the opportunity for the elite and U19 boxers to prepare well for the upcoming major championships.

The bout of the day

Montenegro’s Matija Roganovic made a fantastic result last December when he earned a gold medal at the European U17 Boxing Championships. He joined the U19 age group and their national team this January and the 17-year-old Montenegrin competed as many event as possible in the recent months. Roganovic prepared well to his final bout against Italy’s Luca Casarsa who returned to Bosnia & Herzegovina after one month. Montenegro’s pride used his great footwork to find the best angles against the experienced Italian and he won the 85kg final among the U19 boxers.

The surprise of the day

North Macedonia’s Alen Rustemovski competed in various international tournaments and championships during his career but he was not the favourite against Japan’s Asian Games silver medallist and Paris Olympian Shudai Harada today. The North Macedonian felt the tempo in their meeting and he looked also confident from the first exchanges to beat his outstanding Japanese opponent at the 60kg.

The Round-Up

Croatia’s Lorena Horvat won the opening U19 final of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament against Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Emina Zrno. Italy’s trio as Tommaso Orlando, Daniele Fabi and Matteo De Micco earned gold medals in Sarajevo and the Ukrainians also amazed in the day of the finals once again.

Croatia’s Tokyo Olympian Nikolina Cacic was her nation’s best female boxer in the recent years and also the most successful one. After a few poor years, the currently 25-year-old Croatian returned to the international events in better condition and she accomplished her goal in the city of Sarajevo. Cacic had a promising Algerian opponent, Melissa Hamda, who also returned to her best category to the 57kg, therefore their final bout was highly anticipated. The Croatian moved forward more in comparison to her last international bouts and she earned a gold medal at the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament.

Ichrak Chaib, another excellent Algerian hopeful in the national team, moved down one category almost every year since she won a bronze at the 2022 Women’s World Boxing Championships. The 25-year-old Algerian is now a strong ace at the 60kg weight category and she proved her best performance with perfect timing in the final against Japan’s World Boxing Cup quarter-finalist Satsuki Yoshizawa.

Lithuania had great boxers in the women’s 75kg in the past and their current No.1, Iveta Lesinskyte earned a well-deserved title in the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament which could increase her confidence before the European Elite Championships. The Lithuanian, who competed already in the 2016 Women’s World Championships, enjoyed a unanimous points decision success against Croatia’s Lucija Scrbec.

Algeria’s Amine Zenaz had a surprise success in the semi-finals of the men’s 55kg weight class and he had another great performance to win the final against Japan’s U19 World Champion Fuma Kumamoto. His teammate from Algeria, Mustafa Abdou also invested plenty of efforts to take the title in Sarajevo where he succeeded over Albania’s 19-year-old Ahmed Koci at the 80kg.

The next Japanese finalist, Seiya Iwai outpointed his opponent for the title of the 65kg, Montenegro’s Danilo Markovic and he celebrated a well-deserved gold medal in Sarajevo. Kosovo’s Taulant Jakupi earned medals in European Championships during his career and the 22-year-old boxer defeated Albania’s Nika Useid at the elite 85kg final.

Afghanistan’s Silab Noori joined the national team in 2021 and he not only advanced to the finals of the men’s 90kg but he defeated Nigeria’s UK-based Kenneth Anigboro in a hectic contest. Lithuania’s Jonas Jazevicius finished his super heavyweight final quickly, he knocked out Algeria’s Abderrahim Magda in the first round.

Japan’s Fuma Kumamoto, Algeria’s Amine Zenaz, Montenegro’s Danilo Markovic and Albania’s Ahmed Koci all advanced to the elite finals at the 24^th edition of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Talijan Memorial Tournament in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina on Day2.

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s next international event gives the opportunity for the elite and U19 boxers to prepare well for the upcoming major championships.

The bout of the day

Japan’s Fuma Kumamoto had strong years in 2023 and in 2024 as an U19 boxer and he received the right for the very first time to represent his nation in an elite international event. The 20-year-old athlete had an honest fight against Algeria’s Mohamed Abbas who claimed a silver medal at the recent Golden Belt Tournament. Kumamoto shared his energies well among the three rounds and he eliminated one of the experienced Algerians in Sarajevo winning the bout by 4:1 split decision.

The surprise of the day

Kosovo’s Bashkim Bajoku earned several tournament titles and medals in various competitions and he was named as a favourite in Sarajevo once again. The Kosovan showed his power in the first round against Algeria’s Amine Zenaz but his North African opponent turned back their contest and his stamina was a decision-making difference in their 55kg semi-final.

The Round-Up

Italy’s Tommaso Orlando eliminated his main rival at the 55kg on Day1 and the European U19 silver medallist continued his winning path in Sarajevo during the semi-finals. The 18-year-old Italian overcame Albania’s Ardit Deliu in the attacks and he secured his spot in the final where his next rival will be a Kosovan talent, Riad Isufi. Italy’s next flag bearers in the U19 part of the tournament were Daniele Fabi and Matteo De Micco on Day2.

Montenegro’s Vuk Dabovic had a tight bout against Italy’s Giuseppe Cavallo at the 65kg weight class which was one of the big battles among the U19 bouts. Following his split decision success, another young talent from Montenegro, the European U17 Champion Matija Roganovic shined in the second competition day. The 17-year-old boxer had a remarkable and successful battle against Croatia’s Niko Goreta in the 85kg weight class.

North Macedonia’s Alen Rustemovski competed in all levels of boxing in the recent years including European Boxing Championships as well. The North Macedonian No.1 had a tough opponent as first in Sarajevo, Algeria’s Mouatez Bechagra who has been preparing for the upcoming Mediterranean Games. Rustemovski found the best fighting range earlier than the young Algerian and he won their semi-final meeting at the men’s 60kg weight class.

Japan’s Shudai Harada qualified for Paris Olympics with his unexpected silver medal from the 2023 Asian Games and the 25-year-old boxer returned to the national squad after a short break. Harada dictated the tempo against Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Mihajlo Djekic and he controlled all of the three rounds with his superior technical skills.

Montenegro’s Danilo Markovic has just joined to elite age group following his participation in the previous European U19 Boxing Championships. The 19-year-old Montenegrin was too strong for Afghanistan’s Sartaj Wali Ebrahimi and the referee stopped their contest in the second round. Markovic will be boxing for the gold medal of the elite men’s 65kg weight category with Algeria’s Mohamed Walid Allaoui.

Albania’s Ahmed Koci is a 19-year-old talent at the men’s 80kg weight class and he competed in the last European U19 Boxing Championships as well. The Albanian teenager eliminated Lithuania’s Arvydas Dainys in the first semi-final therefore he will now meet Algeria’s Moustafa Abdou for the gold medal. Kosovo’s Taulant Jakupi, Afghanistan’s Silab Noori and Nigeria’s Kenneth Anigboro were the next winners of the session.

The 24^th edition of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Talijan Memorial Tournament started with 18 contests in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Croatia’s Olympian Nikolina Cacic and Montenegro’s former European Youth Champion Mirko Sarcevic made strong returns to the international events.

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s next international event gives the opportunity for the elite and U19 boxers to prepare well for the upcoming major championships.

The bout of the day

The U19 boxers opened the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament in Sarajevo where the Ukrainians made a good start. Italy’s Tommaso Orlando and Ukraine’s Serhii Artemenko both are top U19 boxers in their national teams therefore their meeting was one of the best fights in Sarajevo on Day1. Orlando, who claimed a silver medal in the 2025 edition of the European U19 Boxing Championships, was slightly better than the experienced Ukrainian and he won their tight 55kg bout.

The surprise of the day

Satsuki Yoshizawa was a quarter-finalist at the World Boxing Cup Stage 1 and the Japanese boxer is one of the strong members of the national team. She had to replace the Olympic Champion Sena Irie in the squad but she proved better and stronger performances in the recent competitions. Yoshizawa had a tight but successful bout against Lithuania’s experienced top female boxer, the European Women’s bronze medallist Ana Starovoitova at the 60kg.

The Round-Up

Algeria’s Fatiha Mansouri has been preparing for the upcoming Mediterranean Games with full speed and she reached her top shape in the recent weeks. She impressed in her opener against Japan’s Hinata Yoshida and she won their meeting unanimously at the women’s 51kg. Korin Kokofu won the next Japan vs. Algeria battle, she had the great finish to beat her North African opponent, Douaa Rouaz at the 54kg.

Croatia’s Nikolina Cacic started her career with a silver medal at the 2018 Youth World Boxing Championships and she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics as well. The currently 25-year-old Croatian made a strong comeback in the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament where she defeated Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Fani Filicic at the women’s 57kg weight class as her first challenge.

The next Lithuania vs. Japan contest was held between the World Championships competitor Iveta Lesinskyte and Naoko Kasahara at the women’s 75kg weight category. Japan rarely has boxers in this division but Kasahara fought out the place in the team and she has been preparing for the Asian Games. Lesinskyte had more international events and bouts during her career, which was the difference between them in their meeting.

Youcef Islem Yaiche competed in the last edition of the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool where he almost defeated the star of the event, Kazakhstan’s Torekhan Sabyrkhan. The Algerian boxer moved a lot on feet and he made strong efforts to beat Lithuania’s powerful Aleksandr Trofimcuk at the men’s 70kg weight class.

Montenegro’s Mirko Sarcevic claimed a gold medal at the 2023 edition of the European Youth Boxing Championships and after a short break, he decided to return to the national squad a few months ago. The 21-year-old boxer was dominant against Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Ivan Herceg and he made a strong debut at the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament.

Twenty-one nations and more than 130 boxers have registered to participate in the upcoming Mustafa Hajrulahovic Talijan Memorial Tournament which will be held in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina this week.

The European Boxing’s Gold competition, the 24^th edition of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Talijan Memorial Tournament will open with its first competition day tomorrow on the 29^th and the finals are scheduled to be held on the last day of the month, on the 31^st.

The forthcoming Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament will be a combination of a top-tier organization, excellent facilities, major media coverage and strong interest from the National Federations.

Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine are among the European nations which are planning to participate in the event.

Afghanistan, Japan and Palestine have registered to send their teams from the Asian continent to Bosnia & Herzegovina’s capital city before the Asian Games.

Algeria, Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana will arrive from the African continent to the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament but more nations are still expected to participate.

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s next international event gives the opportunity for the elite and U19 boxers to prepare well for their upcoming championships.

The elite boxers can compete in 7 women and 10 men weight categories at the Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament. The U19 boxers will have also seventeen divisions, 7 women and 10 men in the upcoming event.

The venue of the competition will be the official accommodation of the competition, the 4-stars Spa Hotel Terme, which means all of the teams can walk from their hotel rooms to the boxing hall.

The Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament has also a tradition among the European events and it is the most famous boxing competition in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The facts of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament

Name: Mustafa Hajrulahovic Tournament

Competition Period: July 29-31

Venue: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Gender: Women & Men

Age Group: Elite & U19

Date of Birth of the boxers:

U19: 2008-2009 born boxers

Elite: 1986-2007 born boxers

The schedule of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Memorial Tournament

July 28 – Arrival of the delegations

July 28, 17:00-19:00 – Boxing Entries Check

July 28, 20:00 – Technical Meeting

July 28, 20:15 – Official Draw

July 29, 15:30 – Opening Ceremony

July 29, 16:00 – Day1 competition

July 30, 14:00 – Day2 competition

July 31, 14:00 – Day3 competition

August 1 – Departure of the delegations

Armenia, Uzbekistan, Israel and Iran shared the gold medals at the Yerevan Mayor Cup which closed with its exciting ten final bouts. Armenia’s 19-year-old Vagharshak Keyan caused the main sensation of the event while the oldest winner of the Yerevan Mayor Cup was the 37-year-old Baregham Harutyunyan.

The total number of boxers was 71 in Armenia’s capital which competition was the last selection for the Armenian boxers before the European Elite Boxing Championships and also for the U23s.

The bout of the day

Armenia’s new sensation at the 65kg, Rafayel Nersesyan competed already in two European Championships as an U17 and U19 boxer and the 20-year-old talent impressed among the elites in the Yerevan Mayor Cup. Nersesyan faced Artur Mkrtchyan in the final of the 2023 edition of the Armenian Youth National Championships, which he lost but this time he made a revenge for that fight, and he earned the well-deserved title of the international event. 

The surprise of the day

Armenia’s Vagharshak Keyan eliminated the European U22 Champion Ruslan Aslikyan in the semi-finals of the men’s 55kg weight class but he was not the favourite against Uzbekistan’s Youth World Champion Shakhzod Muzafarov for the title. The 19-year-old Armenian, who earned a gold medal at the 2023 Junior World Boxing Championships, exceeded all of his previous levels and he defeated such a strong boxer as Muzafarov.

The Round-Up

Armenia’s Baregham Harutyunyan achieved a bronze medal already in the 2008 edition of the National Championships and after 18 years of experience in the elite squad, he is still chasing his dreams. He earned a silver in the last European Boxing Championships two years ago and he used up all of his routines to beat his teammate, Ruben Garboyan to take the title of the 50kg.

Armenia’s experienced Artur Bazeyan eliminated a super talented 20-year-old Uzbek, the Asian Youth Champion Samandar Olimov in the semi-finals of the 60kg which was one of the best contests on Day4. The former European U22 Champion had another hard job in the final against Israel’s Abdallah Rahal, who proved a strong progress in this event, but Bazeyan’s routine was the difference between them.

Harutyun Hakobkokhyan defeated the experienced 27-year-old Armen Mashakaryan in the next final at the men’s 70kg and he has strong chance to represent Armenia in the upcoming main championships. Artush Hovhannisyan, who made his international debut at the 2014 edition of the European Junior Boxing Championships, controlled all of the three rounds against Alik Hovhannisyan in the final of the 80kg.

Israel’s Miroslav Kapuler competed in all of the big events in the recent more than ten years including World Championships and European Championships but he could not qualify to any of the Olympics yet. He is one of the most experienced athletes in the entire competition and he could beat such strong rivals as Armenia’s European Youth silver medallist Aghvan Aleksanyan and Arshak Bablumyan to take the title of the 75kg.

Armenia’s Rafayel Hovhannisyan was a silver medallist at the 2022 European Boxing Championships and the new 85kg is perfect for his physical conditions. He controlled the first round of the final against Poland’s Mateusz Matek and he was able to continue in the same level until the very end of their contest.

Uzbekistan’s defending World Champion and Asian Champion Turabek Khabibullayev not only dominated the exchanges against Armenia’s Davit Simonyan but he stopped his opponent in the first round of the 90kg final. Iran’s Amir Reza Malek Khatabi bagged the last title of the Yerevan Mayor Cup, he was too strong for Ishkhan Hovsepyan at the super heavyweight.

The Yerevan Mayor Cup turned to its final stage in Armenia’s capital city and the line-ups for the title contests are all confirmed today.

The total number of boxers is 71 in Armenia’s capital where the most popular category is the 65kg with the participation of 12 boxers. The competition is the last selection for the Armenian boxers before the European Elite Boxing Championships and also for the U23s.

All of the boxing fans can follow the Yerevan Mayor Cup in the official YouTube channel of the Armenian Boxing Federation.

The bout of the day

Another European U22 Champion boxer from the Armenian team, Artur Bazeyan was more successful in the event than Aslikyan, and he marched to the finals of the men’s 60kg weight class in Yerevan. The experienced boxer had to meet a super talented 20-year-old Uzbek, the Asian Youth Champion Samandar Olimov, but he used his routine to win their semi-final bout on home soil. Following his tight success over the Uzbek, Bazeyan will be boxing for the gold medal with Israel’s Abdallah Rahal tomorrow.

The surprise of the day

Israel’s Miroslav Kapuler is one of the most experienced athletes in the entire competition who joined the international stage of boxing representing Ukraine more than one decade ago. Kapuler moved up to the 75kg weight class but he had still the speed and the strength to beat such strong rivals as Armenia’s European Youth silver medallist Aghvan Aleksanyan therefore Israel’s veteran will now face for the title with Arshak Bablumyan.

The Round-Up

Armenia’s Baregham Harutyunyan is a veteran boxer in the elite national team but he is still hungry for the next successes. The 50kg boxer eliminated his teammate, Hovhannes Harutyunyan in the semi-final of the Yerevan Mayor Cup and he will now meet Ruben Garboyan for the title of the event.

Uzbekistan’s Shakhzod Muzafarov had a wonderful achievement five years ago when he claimed a gold medal at the Youth World Boxing Championships in Kielce. The 24-year-old Uzbek eliminated Israel’s Farid Hreish and Armenia’s Suren Rubinyan during his way to the finals at the 55kg. Muzafarov’s opponent for the title will be the young Vagharshak Keyan who had a clear success over the European U22 Champion Ruslan Aslikyan.

Four of the strong Armenians advanced to the semi-finals at the 65kg weight class, Artur Mkrtchyan, Artur Shakhpazyan, Rafayel Nersesyan and Armen Sargsyan in the Yerevan Mayor Cup. Mkrtchyan and Nersesyan faced in the final of the 2023 edition of the Armenian Youth National Championships and their repeat match will be coming tomorrow in the elite international event.

Artush Hovhannisyan competed already in the 2014 edition of the European Junior Boxing Championships and he represented Team Armenia at the 2019 World Boxing Championships as well. The local hope decided to return to the boxing events and he won two out of the three rounds against Cambodia’s No.1, the ex-Uzbek Anvar Nasredinov in their semi-final meeting. Artush will now meet another Hovhannisyan in the final, Alik, who eliminated Israel’s newcomer, Jonatan Barashi today.

Uzbekistan’s defending World Champion Turabek Khabibullayev is one of the big stars in our present days and the 22-year-old boxer uses the Yerevan Mayor Cup as a preparation for the next big goals. The Uzbek overcame Iran’s Hadi Mohammadnezhad in the attacks and he had a massive performance in the day of the semi-finals therefore he will face with Armenia’s Davit Simonyan for the title.

After the exciting 52^nd Golden Belt Tournament, the Yerevan Mayor Cup gives another opportunity for the elite male boxers in order to prepare well to the European Boxing Championships. Armenia’s main elite competition saw several close contests and among them Ruslan Aslikyan won the best bout of the day.

The total number of boxers is 71 in Armenia’s capital where the most popular category is the 65kg with the participation of 12 boxers. The competition is the last selection for the Armenian boxers before the European Elite Boxing Championships.

All of the boxing fans can follow the Yerevan Mayor Cup in the official YouTube channel of the Armenian Boxing Federation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jet_SnhDEyU

The bout of the day

Ruslan Aslikyan and Davit Yegoryan earned several top results not only in the Armenian National Championships but in the international competitions as well. Yegoryan, who trains in the historic city of Lori, began their meeting at the 55kg in style and Aslikyan had several hard moments in this quarter-final bout. Aslikyan, who earned a gold medal at the 2023 edition of the European U22 Boxing Championships, found his best distance in time to beat his National Champion opponent by 3:2 split decision.

The surprise of the day

Israel’s Adrian Warwar competed in the 2024 edition of the European Youth Championships and the Youth World Boxing Championships as well. He is one of the aces of the Israeli U23 national team and he made a strong impression against a National bronze medallist Armenian, Armen Sargsyan. Warwar was able to keep the same tempo as the local opponent but finally Sargsyan has done enough to win their meeting by 3:2 split decision.

The Round-Up

Uzbekistan’s Shakhzod Muzafarov claimed a gold medal at the 2021 edition of the Youth World Boxing Championships in Kielce and he earned also several top results in the Asian Boxing Championships. The 24-year-old Uzbek opened his campaign against Israel’s Farid Hreish in Armenia’s capital and the level of his speed was the difference between them in the opening contest of the entire event.

Armenia’s National bronze medallist Suren Rubinyan won the next contest at the 55kg after Muzafarov’s success, he outpointed Alen Virabyan in a hectic contest. Another Armenian talent in this weight category, Vagharshak Keyan had great results among the junior and youth age groups, but he is now a promising elite athlete. Keyan controlled the first round against Harutyun Minasyan and he finished the job in the second with a stoppage.

Artur Sahakyan, a former European Champion, moved up to the 65kg this year but he adopted the strength of the punches and the rhythms of the bouts quickly. The powerful puncher landed enough shots to beat his teammate, Argishti Hakobyan as he won two out of the three rounds in the judges’ scorecards.

One of the strong Central Asian boxing countries, Tajikistan sent a small delegation to the Yerevan Mayor Cup and their Asror Akparkhodzhaev opened his campaign in the 65kg weight class on Day1. The Tajik boxer started well against an Armenian favourite, Rafayel Nersesyan but his opponent switched into a higher tempo and the local boy advanced to the quarter-finals in the event.

Ares Hakobyan, the last year’s bronze medallist from the Yerevan Mayor Cup, performed well against Poland’s Piotr Milczarek and he won the last preliminary bout at the 65kg weight class. Uzbekistan’s next ace in the event, the former World silver medallist Ikboljon Kholdarov was too experienced for Armenia’s Vahag Asatryan at the 70kg.

The men’s finals delivered excellent level of boxing on the fifth and last competition day at the 52^nd Golden Belt Tournament in Braila today evening.

The 52^nd edition of the Golden Belt Tournament was the next elite female and male competition on the road for the preparations to the European Elite Boxing Championships, Asian Games and the Panamerican Boxing Championships.

The Golden Belt Tournament was fully transparent with live scoring at the Boxerbase website www.boxerbase.com and all of the fans could follow the event in all of the competition days.

The bout of the day

Uzbekistan’s Sanjarbek Vakhobov and Haiti’s Seide Geronimo Saint-Louis both won two bouts in the earlier stages of the Golden Belt Tournament in Braila. The young Uzbek made a strong impression in the event and he tried to rule the first exchanges of their 60kg final bout. Geronimo had one tough punch in the middle of the first round therefore Vakhobov had to increase the level of his concentration. The Uzbek dictated the tempo against such a good opponent and he played with the Haitian boxer in the third round therefore Vakhobov earned the third male title in Braila.

The surprise of the day

Ukraine’s Dnypro-based Dmytro Rudia had difficulties in the first round against Romania’s small Alex Mihai Zaharia in the semi-finals but he turned back that contest. His final opponent, Moldova’s Valeriu Razmerita gained the control in the first round and he ruled the middle of the ring against the taller opponent. The Moldovan caught the 10cm taller Ukrainian with heavy combinations but Rudia’s great finish guaranteed his gold medal at the men’s 80kg weight class.

The Round-Up

Romania’s Bence Laszlo Szőcs surprised Moldova’s Catalin Turcu in the first round of the men’s 50kg final bout and he had the advantage in all of the scorecards after three minutes. The more experienced Moldovan received the right instructions in the break and he equalized the scores in the second round. Turcu, who claimed a gold medal in the recent Moldovan National Championships, turned up the heat in the third round and he bagged the first male title of the 52^ndGolden Belt Tournament.

Algeria’s Mohamed Abbas won two tough contests during his road to the final of the men’s 55kg weight category but he had such a strong opponent for the gold medal as India’s Priyanshu Dabas. The Indian was able to increase his speed in the second round and he performed better in the exchanges to build up a strong advantage before the final period. The Algerian, who has been preparing for the Mediterranean Games, worked hard in the third round but his efforts were not enough to turn back this final bout.

Following Ilia Hnatiuk’s tight success over India’s Rohit at the men’s 65kg, a top Romanian bout was held at the 70kg. Stefan Stavri eliminated his favourite teammate, Arun Nicu Tudoroiu in the semi-finals and he faced Daniel Adrian Grigorie in another key Romanian final contest. Grigorie had great defensive skills in the first round and his right-handed punches were dangerous for Stavri. Grigorie knocked down his opponent in the second round and he had the comfortable victory in a remarkable battle.

Romania’s Marian Alexandru Buleu and Moldova’s Vasile Cebotari both had great victories in the semi-finals of the men’s 75kg weight class. The Moldovan moved forward while the local favourite waited for the best counter-attacking angles and due to their great defensive skills, there were not so much clear punches in the first round. Cebotari made a great finish in the third round and he earned the next gold medal of the traditional Golden Belt Tournament.

Romania’s Jorge Mayeta is only 19-year-old but the ex-Cuban impressed already in the first round of the 85kg final against Moldova’s experienced Andrei Chireacov. The Romanian dominated the first round and he had the full control in the second to take the massive advantage on the scorecards. The Uzbek referee counted his opponent once again in the third round therefore Mayeta won the final bout by large margin of difference today.

Romania’s veteran Paul Andrei Aradoaie eliminated Uzbekistan’s Shakhzod Polvonov in the semi-finals of the 90kg weight class and he faced India’s Bobin Chauhan for the gold medal. The Romanian claimed a European U22 title still back in 2017 but he is in top shape once again in this Golden Belt Tournament. The 30-year-old Romanian was too experienced for the Indian and his smarter boxing style delivered for him a gold medal in Braila.

Uzbekistan’s Khalimjon Mamasoliyev earned a gold medal at the 2024 edition of the Youth World Boxing Championships and the 20-year-old boxer was dominant against Romania’s Florin Ionita in the first round. Mamasoliyev moved up to the super heavyweight this year but he had the tough performance to control all of the three rounds against the European Youth medallist. Ionita received a warning in the second round and he was not able to follow the rhythm of the last bout of the Golden Belt Tournament.