England’s Abdul-Rahman Burton made a revenge and knocked out France’s Izaya Gaucher in the semi-finals of the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in the Czech Republic today.
Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Montenegro, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Slovakia, Turkey and Wales are competing in Usti nad Labem.
The bout of the day
Hungary’s Vladislava Kukhta defeated Poland’s Olympic silver medallist Julia Szeremeta in the Brazilian World Boxing Cup two months ago and she had another big scalp in the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem today. The 27-year-old Hungarian followed the instructions of her head coach, Mr. Emanuele Renzini from the first seconds and she eliminated Turkey’s Olympics bronze medallist Esra Yildiz Kahraman at the 57kg. The Hungarian will now meet for the gold medal Czechia’s Lenka Bernardova who returned to the events earlier this year after giving birth to her son.
The surprise of the day
France’s Izaya Gaucher defeated England’s Abdul-Rahman Burton in the final of the recent European U23 Boxing Championships in Budapest seven months ago. The French and her English rival both are technician boxers with fantastic footwork and their re-match was one of the most anticipated contests in Usti nad Labem today. Burton not only made a revenge for that loss in the European final but he knocked out Gaucher in the first round of their 55kg semi-final bout.
The Round-up
Hungary’s European U23 silver medallist Lilla Szeleczki was a finalist at the Belgrade Winner Tournament in Serbia one month ago and she repeated that performance in the Czech Republic as well. The 23-year-old Hungarian used her best strategy and long-distance punches with quick actions effectively against Italy’s ex-kickboxer Chiara Mosetti today to join the finals of the women’s 48kg.
France’s Mayssoun Bourega was an unknown boxer in the international stage one and half year ago and after a few events she has the experience to beat such good athletes as Czechia’s European U19 silver medallist Claudia Totova. The French boxer had a hectic success over the more experienced local girl and she will now face for the gold medal with India’s No.1, Sakshi Choudhary.
India’s defending Asian Champion, the Paris Olympian Preeti Pawar did not underestimate her Hungarian opponent, the European bronze medallist Hanna Lakotar today. The Indian 54kg boxer gained the control of their semi-final in the first round and she was able to keep that until the last gong of this semi-final. The 23-year-old Indian will be boxing for the gold medal of this strong weight category with France’s Jeyssa Marcel who had a close success over Finland’s Emma Jokiaho.
India’s Sachin failed his last bout, the so-called Box-off in the 2nd World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Bangkok two years ago and he had to miss the Paris Olympics. The Indian is now more experienced and his technical skills overmatched Junmilardo Ogayre’s boxing knowledge in Usti. Following his unanimous success against the Filipino boxer, he will be facing for the title with Hungary’s returning Roland Veres at the 60kg.
Austria’s Emin Yildiz was highly confident in the entire competition but he suffered a loss to Italy’s Giacomo Giannotti in the semi-finals of the 65kg. His teammate, the World bronze medallist Michael Fares Derouiche was more punctual in his semi-final bout and he eliminated Bulgaria’s tall Semion Boldirev. Derouiche was expect strong resistance in the final of the 85kg in Usti nad Labem where he will now meet Czechia’s Daniel Komarek.
Slovakia’s Adolf Stanek had some unexpected triumphs in the recent competitions and he shocked his Indian opponent, Sumit Kundu with his strength to join the final of the 70kg weight category. His compatriot, Ladislav Horvath walked over to the title contest of the 75kg where his last opponent will be Hungary’s World bronze medallist Pylyp Akilov.
Bulgaria’s Roselin Bachevski and India’s Kapil Pokhariya will be the finalists at the 90kg weight class after their successes over Hungarian and Welsh opponents. Armenia’s World silver medallist Davit Chaloyan used his fighting range well to beat England’s newcomer Clinton Achusim and he can face for the title with India’s veteran, Narender Berwal at the super heavyweight.