▪️He now meets Azerbaijan’s world champion Subhan Mamedov (pictured above) in what promises to be a closely contested final
▪️Another Moroccan boxer in the semis, world bantamweight champion Widad Bertal, went down on points to Serbia’s Sara Cirkovich
April 26, 2026
Moroccan boxing sensation and reigning African flyweight champion Issam Bensayar (pictured below) has continued his meteoric rise on the international stage, punching his way to the final of the World Boxing Cup in Brazil.
In a highly anticipated semi-finals showdown, Bensayar secured a well-deserved victory over Spanish world bronze medalist Martin Molina Salvador.
Bensayar’s significant victory over Molina has been received with excitement in Africa’s boxing fraternity viewed as sweet revenge following Molina’s controversial win over Zambia’s African Games champion Patrick Chinyemba at the 2023 Men’s World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Another Moroccan boxer in the semis, world bantamweight champion Widad Bertal, lost 3-0 to Serbia’s world bronze medallist Sara Cirkovich in their second fight having met in the semi-finals of the 2025 Worlds with Bertal winning on points.
Bensayar’s fight was described as a strong, competitive matchup where the Moroccan displayed admirable technical skills and immense fighting spirit to overcome the seasoned Spanish boxer.
This win highlights the strengthening position of Moroccan boxing on the international stage and brings Bensayar closer to a major world title.
Before meeting Molina, Bensayar decisioned Kazakhstan’s world championships quarter-finalist Daniyal Sabit who was beaten by Zambia’s renowned Patrick Chinyemba in the last eight of Dubai Men’s Worlds.
The Moroccan is now facing Azerbaijan’s world champion Subhan Mamedov in the finals tonight.
A graduate of Agjabedi Boxing School, the 19-year-old Mamedov, who is also U23 European champion, made history at the 2025 Dubai Worlds as Azerbaijan’s youngest ever world champion following his 4-3 victory over fancied Russian Edmond Khudoyan in the minimumweight category.
boxersworld.co.ke
