Sixteen impressive preliminary bouts were held on Day 2 of the 2015 EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria, where boxers from the Welterweight (69 kg) and Middleweight  (75 kg) weight classes fought to reach the Top 16.

Bout of the day

Hungary’s former EUBC European Continental Champion Balazs Bacskai has been in excellent form recently, and opened his tournament with a brilliant victory over Germany’s AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Araik Marutjan.

The German Welterweight has recently been competing in AIBA Pro Boxing (APB), but seemed to struggle on Day 2 against his tactically efficient opponent over the shorter format in Bulgaria.

Bacskai’s patience and toughness are defining attributes which have served him well over the years, and he used both in abundance to eventually eliminate his decorated German opponent after three excellent rounds.

After his victory, he will next face Lithuania’s exciting Eimantas Stanionis in a keenly awaited contest.

Team of the day

Sweden had two boxers in action on the second competition day, and both were able to win their contests in Samokov.

Firstly, Leon Chartoi used his strength to defeat Moldova’s Victor Carapcevschii at Middleweight.

The 25-year-old boxed confidently throughout, and displayed a wide range of punches in the bout.

Sweden’s second triumph was delivered by Clarence Goyeram, who has returned to the boxing world after a break.

The Swedish Welterweight controlled all of the rounds against Israel’s National Champion Denis Klochk, and advanced to the next preliminary round where he will face Netherlands’ 19-year-old Wouter Djokic.

Surprises of the day

Bulgaria’s experienced Mariyan Momchev Yankov won a gold medal at the 2003 AIBA Cadet World Boxing Championships, but surprisingly lost in his home tournament against Spain’s Boxam Tournament silver medallist Damian Biacho.

The Spanish Middleweight athlete shocked Yankov in the opening round with lethal punches, and eventually prevailed on points despite receiving a warning from the referee.

Slovenia’s Andrej Bakovic then continued the upsets as he outperformed Croatia’s Sanjin Pol Vrgoc in a brilliant Middleweight bout.

Vrgoc experienced the same fate that star teammate Marko Calic suffered on Day 1, as he was eliminated following an unexpected loss.

A day of curve-ball results finished when Italy’s highly rated Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games winner Vincenzo Arecchia was defeated by Moldova’s London 2012 Olympian Vasilii Belous at Welterweight.

The Round-Up

Germany’s Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Denis Radovan met Italy’s Salvatore Cavallaro in a key Middleweight bout, which was won by the Italian after three incredibly close and action packed rounds.

Cavallaro will next face French sensation Christian Mbilli Assomo in the last 16.

Poland’s Tomasz Jablonski recently enjoyed a superb season in the World Series of Boxing, and successfully opened his European Championships account with victory over Finland’s Baku 2015 European Games competitor Dmytro Tretyak.

Serbia’s London 2012 Olympian Aleksandar Drenovak and Belarus’ former University World Champion Vitali Bandarenka competed in yet another spectacular Middleweight contest which was won by the veteran Belarusian.

Russia’s Sportaccord World Combat Games winner and World Series of Boxing number one ranked Petr Khamukov is one of the most powerful Middleweights in the world, and he dominated his inaugural contest against Norway’s EUBC European Youth Continental Championships bronze medallist Martin Larsen.

Fact of the day

After two days of competition, Belarus, Great Britain, Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, Spain and Sweden have still yet to suffer defeat at the EUBC European Confederation Continental Championships.

Quotes of the day

“I did not have any special tactics today as I had not seen my opponent before. I tried to stay relaxed and box my usual style. Because of this, I am satisfied with my first bout in this tournament, and I hope to do better in the next contest. My target is to go as long as I can in the event. We had a good preparation, and I feel in good shape,” said Sweden’s Leon Chartoi.

“Personally I am very happy of course with my opening triumph, but it was not my very best  performance and I think I can do much better in the next preliminary round. I was patient in the bout, and counter-attacked when I had the chance. I have arrived to the championships to get a medal for myself and Slovenia, but currently I am just focusing on my next opponent,” commented Slovenia’s Andrej Bakovic.

“My tactic was based on counter-attacks from long range because my opponent was a really strong puncher. Unfortunately my performance was not the same as what I wanted, but I could use my speed advantage well in the bout.” said Albania’s Asmer Bilali after defeating Czech Republic’s Tomas Bezvoda.

Tomorrow’s program

Twenty-six preliminary bouts are on the program of the third competition day in Samokov, where the winners of the Light Flyweight (49 kg) and Super Heavyweight (+91 kg) matches will be advancing to the quarter-finals.

The first preliminary round of the Light Heavyweight (81 kg) category will also be held on Day 3.

Share on Facebook

Tweet