The next generation of the Croatian boxers shined in the semi-finals of the 2nd Zagreb Grand Prix
10 October 2020The fifteen exciting semi-finals were held in the second edition of the Zagreb Grand Prix in Croatia’s capital on Day2. The Russian stars as Gabil Mamedov, Gleb Bakshi, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov and Ivan Veriasov all advanced to the finals in Zagreb. The next generation of the Croatian boxers, Nikolina Cacic, Noa Jezek, Gabrijel Veocic and Leo Cvetkovic all proved their talents.
Among the boxing powers, Russia, Ukraine, France, Italy, Sweden, Poland and host Croatia compete in the Zagreb Grand Prix with strong delegations. Boxers attend from four different Confederations in the Zagreb Grand Prix and unique nations such as Chile, DR Congo, Syria and Afghanistan are also strengthening the competition. The Technical Delegate of the 2nd Zagreb Grand Prix is Mr. Maxim Cherticovtsev of Moldova.
The 2nd Zagreb Grand Prix is a money prize competition once again after the first edition which took place in 2019. The gold, the silver and bronze medallists will be awarded also cash in euros after the day of the finals.
All of the expenses related to accommodation, meals and local transportation are the responsibility of the Local Croatian Organizing Committee. The safety of all participants, the continuous medical checks, the social distancing, the hygienic preparations, wearing masks and all of the controls are the responsibility of the local organizers in Croatia.
Bout of the day
Russia’s Gleb Bakshi has got eight years of experiences in the international events who reached his career highlight at the Yekaterinburg 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships where he won the middleweight (75kg) on home soil. The 25-year-old Russian is one of the main stars of the competition but he had to do more in all aspects of boxing in the semi-finals after his quarter-final triumph over Albania’s Arjon Kajoshi. The Russian World Champion faced in the last four with Croatia’s 19-year-old Noa Jezek who is newcomer among the elite boxers this year. The Croatian won tournaments as a youth and proved his strong potential against the Russian No.1 in Zagreb. Bakshi was able to keep the victory and advanced to the final but Jezek impressed in their semi-finals.
The surprise of the day
A promising woman lightweight (60kg) boxer, Eindhoven Box Cup silver medallist Valentina Bustamante represented Italy in smaller international tournaments in the recent years but she switched to Chile and opened her campaign in Zagreb with a fantastic success over Russia’s Aleksandra Zhuravleva. Bustamante attacked well in her semi-final against Marija Malenica but the Croatian was slightly better in tactics.
The Round-up
Russia’s EUBC European Boxing Championships silver medallist Gabil Mamedov is their best boxer at the new Olympic lightweight (63kg) who had a strong battle against France’s five-years younger Hugo Grau in the day of the semi-finals. The French tried to keep his Russian opponent long but Mamedov caught Grau a few times which was enough for his success in Zagreb. Mamedov’s next and final opponent will be Ukraine’s Strandja Memorial Tournament winner Yaroslav Khartsyz who eliminated Poland’s tough Mateusz Polski.
Croatia’s Leo Cvetkovic is a young hope at the light heavyweight (81kg) who met in the semi-finals with Kosovo’s new surprise Besart Pireva. The Croatian used smart boxing in their contest and eliminated the Kosovan boxer in the semi-finals on Day2. Cvetkovic will now face with Russia’s Raziuan Mazikhov for the gold medal of the weight class. His teammate 19-year-old Gabrijel Veocic also advanced to the final of the Zagreb Grand Prix following his success over Italy’s Remo Salvati.
Russia’s heavyweight (91kg) AIBA World Champion and European Games winner Muslim Gadzhimagomedov controlled his second fight in Zagreb against France’s Soheb Bouafia and advanced to the final where he will be boxing with Ukraine’s former AIBA Junior World Champion Robert Marton. Gadzhimagomedov’s teammate Ivan Veriasov eliminated DR Congo’s UK-based Jamie Tshikeva in the semi-final of the super heavyweight (+91kg) but he can expect a hard battle against Croatia’s Marko Milun.
Croatia’s AIBA Women’s Youth World Boxing Championships silver medallist Nikolina Cacic is now an elite boxer and as expected the 19-year-old talent defeated her fellow Hrvojka Cudina in a one-sided bout at the female bantamweight (54kg). In the last bout of the second competition day Sweden’s best woman boxer Agnes Alexiusson eliminated Croatia’s Sara Kos in a battle of the medallists of the European Shadowboxing Challenge.
