Greece’s Mandourakis was the main sensation of the Grand Prix Slovenske Konjice

The Grand Prix in Slovenske Konjice is a new competition in the EUBC Boxing Calendar but Slovenia’s international event was a success in the recent days. Croatia’s Alen Babic, Greece’s Petropolius Mandourakis, Belgium’s Lancelot Proton de la Chapelle, Slovenia’s Tadej Cernoga and the Russian team demonstrated top level of boxing in the Grand Prix in Slovenske Konjice.

Slovenia is a developing boxing nation in Europe but their management is trying to get chances to their boxers in the international stage. The Slovenian Boxing Federation’s next international competition will be the 2nd Slovenia Open for the elite, youth and junior boxers on June 6-10 this year.

Bout of the finals

Croatia’s Alen Babic had a powerful year in 2017 when he defeated world class boxers as well in the international competitions. The Croatian heavyweight (91kg) boxer, who attended also in the World Series Boxing, returned with strong performance and he used his stamina in the final when he met with Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete. The Belgian boxer was a competitive rival for Babic who had to give in absolutely everything to win their narrow fight in Slovenske Konjice. The final verdict was split decision in the favour for Babic and their contest was named as the best one in the Grand Prix.

Surprise of the event

Greece’s Petropolius Mandourakis attended only in national events in the recent years but this time he gave the chance to attend in an international competition. The Greek light welterweight (64kg) boxer eliminated Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Haris Mesanovic in the semi-final and had to face with the favourite Gee Bee Tournament winner Alisa Sharifov in the final. The Russian boxer claimed gold medal at the FISU University World Boxing Championships in Elista last September but his Greek rival delivered his best ever performance and Mandourakis claimed his surprise gold medal in Slovenske Konjice.

The round-up

Czech Republic’s Dominika Ciklova is not the most experienced female boxer from her proud country but she showed her potential in the Grand Prix Slovenske Konjice. The Czech lightweight (60kg) boxer was slightly better than Slovenia’s Golden Girl Box Championships silver medallist Vida Rudolf and won the lone female title of the event. Her success over the EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships competitor Slovenian was a small surprise.

Russia’s Zagreb 2014 EUBC European Youth Champion Ivan Abramov claimed the gold medal at the flyweight (52kg) following his strong success over his teammate Edmond Khudoyan. Another Russian hope Aleksey Moskvin defeated Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Alen Rahimic in the final of the bantamweight (56kg) which was a close bout. The German-based Bosnian boxer has been preparing to the upcoming EUBC European Confederation U22 Boxing Championships and the Grand Prix was his last preparation event.

Slovenia’s Tadej Cernoga attended high number of international competitions in the recent two years and moved ahead step by step. The young Slovenian lightweight (60kg) boxer impressed against Germany’s Ousainou Hansen and won his first title in 2019. Cernoga became the best domestic boxer of the Grand Prix Slovenske Konjice.

Lancelot Proton de la Chapelle attended in French junior and youth events but he decided to represent Belgium in the international stage more than one year ago. The 21-year-old Belgian middleweight (75kg) boxer was effective against Switzerland’s Beijing 2008 Olympian veteran Harry Saliku Biembe and won the title in Slovenske Konjice. Croatia’s Marko Milun won the Bocskai Memorial Tournament two and half weeks ago and he continued his winning path in Slovenske Konjice where he defeated Switzerland’s Ojal Collins in the final of the super heavyweight (+91kg).