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The semifinalists, and therefore also the medalists of the 2023 European Games boxing tournament, were selected. Fans saw as many as 52 fights.

In the women’s competition, Olympic champions Kellie Harrington (60 kg), Estelle Mossely (60 kg) and Busenaz Surmeneli (66 kg) did not disappoint. However, it should be added that Harrington (IRL) and Mossely (FRA) had to work hard for victory today. Both have secured their advancement to the Paris Olympics, but their Friday semifinal bout promises to be an excellent one. Surmeneli (TUR) dominated her rival from Poland (Aneta Rygielska) and so far is going through the tournament in Nowy Targ without any problems.

In the 50-kilogram weight class, Buse Naz Cakiroglu (TUR), Olympic silver medallist from Tokyo, again defeated Natalia Rok (POL). A year ago she was better at the European Championships.

In the lightest men’s category (51 kg), Billal Bennama (FRA) and Kiaran MacDonald (GBR) showed good form today. In the 57 kilogram category, Javier Ibanez easily defeated his rival from Armenia, Nebil Mahmud Ibrahim (SWE) and Vasile Usturoi (BEL) also won their fights already in the first round.

Sofiane Oumiha (FRA – 63,5 kg) has so far performed very well from the role of the favorite. The three-time world champion won confidently his third fight at this tournament. In the semifinals, however, Dean Clancy (IRL) should set him the bar really high.

The best bout of the tournament so far in the 71kg weight class was fought by Makan Traore (FRA) and Sarkhan Aliyev (AZE). After nine excellent minutes, the judges pointed to Traore by a 3:2 vote ratio.

In the light heavyweight division, Oleksand Khyzhniak (UKR) had to fight both his rival and the judges. After two rounds he was losing 18:20 to Kelyn Cassidy on the scorecards of three judges, and he was certainly no worse. The fans, by the way, greeted it with whistles and booing. Khyzhniak, the world champion, European champion and Olympic silver medallist, gave it all in the last round and managed to reverse the situation thanks to the count and a warning to his rival.

In the heavyweight division (92 kg) a great duel was fought by Enmanuel Reyes (ESP) and Alexander Okafor (GER). Thanks to a good third round, Reyes won on the cards of all judges. The best in the 92 kilograms limit so far is Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine (ITA), gold medallist at the European Championships and silver medallist at the World Championships. Today he gave no chance to a rival from Turkey. Home-grown fighter Mateusz Bereznicki (POL) is waiting for him in the semifinals. The Pole has three victories on his record in Nowy Targ.

In the super heavyweight division, the fans were warmed up by Nelvie Tiafack (GER) and Ayoub Ghadfa (ESP). The first round was clearly won by the German, the second by the Spaniard and everything was decided in the last three minutes. The judges by a ratio of 3:2 voted in favour of the German boxer. His rival in the semifinals will be two-time World Championships medallist Mahammad Abdullayev (AZE). The other semifinal will face Delicious Orie (GBR) and Yordan Hernandez (BUL).