Cyprus is a developing boxing nation in the European continent but its national federation is doing its utmost to raise the level and experience of its athletes. The Mediterranean island boxing federation therefore sends boxers to all of the main events in the recent years and even launched an international tournament, the FXTM Boxing Cup, which was held in Limassol over the weekend.

Bout of the tournament
Cyprus’ top athlete Kyriakos Spanos had won the country’s first ever junior bout in the international level back at the 2009 AIBA Junior World Championships in Yerevan, Armenia and advanced to the last 8 in that global event. At the FXTM Boxing Cup, the 21-year-old Middleweight (75 kg) boxer stopped Israel’s experienced Artem Masliy in the semi-final and faced Switzerland’s Angel Roque in the gold medal bout. The Swiss 19-year-old competitor managed to beat the host nation’s No.1 in Limassol, even though Spanos has already started preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, in which Cyprus can also participate.

Team of the tournament
Mongolia had only sent a small delegation to Cyprus but four of its athletes were still in the race on the last day of the competition. The ASBC Asian Women’s Continental Championships silver medallist Nandintsetseg Myagmardulam did not give any chance to Russia’s experienced Zoya Isayeva in the final of the Women’s Flyweight class (51 kg) in Limassol. The Mongolian boxer, who competed in three editions of AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, won all rounds in their contest.
The second gold medal for Mongolia was acquired by veteran Daivii Otgonbayar who defeated Germany’s Alexander Hofmann in the final of the Heavyweight class (91 kg). The Mongolian veteran returned to the world of boxing and secured his nation’s first gold medal in that weight category in the current Rio 2016 Olympic era. His teammate Tsend-Ayush Otgonerdene and female finalist 24-year-old Oyungurel Suvderdene both claimed silver medals in Limassol.

Surprise of the tournament
Israel’s National Champion Abdala Kadan shocked Ukraine’s EUBC European Youth Continental Championships silver medallist Vladislav Sirenko in the semi-final of the Super Heavyweight class (+91 kg) and he also subsequently won the final. The Israeli boxer stopped Seychelles’ young hope, AIBA World Boxing Championships competitor Keddy Agnes in the final round and secured its delegation’s only gold medal in Limassol.

Ones to watch in the future
Greece’s Alexandros Tsanikidis had an excellent year in 2012 when he won various youth international events and almost won a medal at the AIBA Youth World Championships in Yerevan, Armenia. The 20-year-old Greek Light Welterweight (64 kg) boxer advanced to the final after beating his Serbian and Cyprian opponents and faced Mongolia’s National Championships silver medallist Tsend-Ayush Otgonerdene.. The young Greek boxer controlled the bout from the second frame when he knocked down his Asian rival and his efforts resulted in a tournament title in Limassol.
Seychelles’ London 2012 Olympian and currently best elite boxer Andrique Allisop joined the national team four years ago and his strength was enough to stop his two European opponents in Limassol. The 22-year-old Lightweight (60 kg) athlete eliminated Belgium’s Miko Khachatryan and stopped Israel’s AIBA World Boxing Championships competitor Igor Lazarev before the final bell.

Stat/fact of the tournament
Four continents sent boxers to the FXTM Boxing Cup to Cyprus, as only the Oceania Boxing Confederation was not represented in the World Championships in Limassol. Bolivia, Jamaica and Seychelles showed they are ready to appear on the international boxing map again.

Quote of the tournament
“I was very satisfied with my final fight. The tournament was really fun and well organized so I enjoyed it so much. In my final bout against a strong Israeli boxer, I often only used my hooks and uppercuts to keep him away. I am very hungry to win more tournaments,” commented Seychelles’ London 2012 Olympian Andrique Allisop further to his final victory in Limassol.

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