▪️Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ireland and Armenia boxers shine on the opening day of this prestigious tournament
February 24, 2026
Egyptian team had a split opening day, with one boxer securing a win and another falling in their respective bout on Day One of the 77th Strandja Memorial International Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Solidarity Games light-middleweight champion Ahmed Hekal was outpointed 4-1 by Byramdurdy Nurmuhammedov of Turkmenistan while light-heavyweight Fares Elsharkawi moved to the pre-quarters defeating Romania’s Petrica Muset Eduard. The referee stopped the bout at 1:59 of the third round due to the Romanian boxer sustaining an injury.
The first day of the 77th International Tournament “Strandja Cup 2026” turned out to be intense and productive. Boxers from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa contested 56 bouts across eight weight categories — from 50 kg to over 90 kg.
During the day, the following were recorded:
— 2 wins by knockout (KO)
— 2 referee stoppages due to injury (RSC-I)
— The majority of bouts ended in victories on points
On the opening day, representatives of more than 20 countries entered the ring. The highest number of victories was achieved by athletes from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ireland, and Armenia, confirming the high level of preparation of these national teams.
Armenian boxers secured 4 wins in 5 bouts. However, there was also a controversial judging decision in one of the fights involving an Armenian boxer
All Results of Day 1 of the Strandja Cup 2026 (February 23)
Weight category up to 50 kg (Flyweight)
Asilbek Jalilov (Uzbekistan)
def. Bekzat Aldamzharov (Kazakhstan) — 5:0
Rudolf Garboan (Armenia)
def. Resul Arslanov (Turkmenistan) — 5:0
Bilalhabashi Nazarov (Azerbaijan)
def. Louis Rooney (Ireland) — 4:1
Siyovush Muhammadiyev (Ukraine)
def. Iliya Kalchev (Bulgaria) — 4:1
Battulga Aldarkhishig (Mongolia)
def. Ergunal Sebahtin (Bulgaria) — 5:0
Weight Category up to 55 kg (Bantamweight)
Baglan Kenzhibek (Kazakhstan)
def. Nijat Huseynov (Azerbaijan) — 5:0
Gor Ayvazyan (Georgia)
def. Semih Gumus (Turkey) — 5:0
Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu (Mongolia)
def. Oleg Chulyacheev (Ukraine) — 5:0
Lorenzo Patricio (USA)
def. Michael Douglas Trindade da Silva (Brazil) — 3:2
Timur Kabdeshov (Kazakhstan)
def. Paddy Joyce (Ireland) — 5:0
Samandar Olimov (Uzbekistan)
def. Elmir Nabiyev (Ukraine) — 5:0
Ali El Sari (Germany)
def. Zalimkhan Suleymanov (Azerbaijan) — 5:0
*Weight category up to 60 kg (Lightweight)*
Mahammadali Ashiraliyev (Azerbaijan)
def. Michele Baldassi (Italy) — 3:2
Salim Ellis-Bey (USA)
def. Ruslan Kuzeubaev (Kazakhstan) — 3:2
Artur Bazeyan (Armenia)
def. Adam Hession (Ireland) — 4:1
Lundaa Gantumur (Mongolia)
def. Biibars Zheksen (Kazakhstan) — 4:1
Luiz Gabriel Nascimento Oliveira (Brazil)
def. Mahammad Gasimzada (Azerbaijan) — 5:0
Selahattin Cinibulak (Turkey)
def. Abdurakhmon Makhmudjonov (Uzbekistan) — 3:2
William Hewitt (England)
def. Giorgi Kapanadze (Georgia) — 5:0
Ramon Santos da Conceicao (Brazil)
def. Giuseppe Canonico (Italy) — 5:0
Owain Harris-Allan (Wales)
def. Tolga Kaya (Turkey) — 4:1
Radoslav Rosenov (Bulgaria)
def. Tagi Nasibov (Azerbaijan) — 4:1
Alen Rustomovski (North Macedonia)
def. Vasile Scalco (Romania) — 5:0
Buyandalai Bayarkhuu (Mongolia)
def. Jude Gallagher (Ireland) — 3:2
Mohamed Siala (Germany)
def. Jeronimo Saint-Louis (Haiti) — 5:0
*Weight category up to 70 kg (Light Middleweight)*
Randy Botikali (Germany)
def. Shpetim Bajoku (Kosovo) — 5:0
Farukh Tokhtasunov (Kazakhstan)
def. Arsen Chabyan (Austria) — 5:0
Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov (Turkmenistan)
def. Ahmed Hekal (Egypt) — 4:1
Terry McEntee (Ireland)
def. Ahmet Pekel (Turkey) — 5:0
Kaian Oliveira Reis (Brazil)
def. Daniel Adrian Grigorie (Romania) — 5:0
Magomed Shakhidov (Germany)
def. Tihomir Zaykov (Bulgaria) — 5:0
Byamba-Erdene Otgonbaatar (Mongolia)
def. Alexey Shiryaev (Bulgaria) — 4:1
Harutyun Hakobkokhyan (Armenia)
def. Kelvin Sokuessa (Czech Republic) — 3:2
Lavant Brownlee (USA)
def. Luka Nikabadze (Georgia) — 5:0
Muhammadsabyr Bazarbay uulu (Kazakhstan)
def. Abdulaziz Zhurakulov (Uzbekistan) — 5:0
John McConnell (Ireland)
def. Gianluigi Malanga (Italy) — 4:1
Weight category up to 75 kg (Middleweight)
Marat Mikayelyan (Armenia)
def. Stelian Strahilov (Bulgaria) — 5:0
Gabriele Guidi Rontanti (Italy)
def. Giorgi Natroshvili (Georgia) — 4:1
Orlando Holley-Sotomi (Wales)
def. Alperen Yilmaz (Turkey) — 4:1
Fazliddin Erkinboev (Uzbekistan)
def. Dalai Ganzorig (Mongolia) — 5:0
Weight category up to 80 kg (Light Heavyweight)
Cristian Sarsilli (Italy)
def. Yazmyrat Babishev (Turkmenistan) — 5:0
Lucky Aimuafua (Austria)
def. Emre Parlak (Turkey) — 5:0
Luka Matchutadze (Georgia)
def. Mert Aybuga (Turkey) — 3:1
Jamal Kuliev (Ukraine)
def. Anvar Nasredinov (Cameroon) — 5:0
Fares Elsharkawi (Egypt)
*def. Eduard Petrica Muset (Romania) — RSC-I, Round 3 (1:59)*
*(referee stopped contest due to injury)*
Dimeji Shittu (England)
def. Daniel Pitt (Wales) — 5:0
Josh Olaniyan (Ireland)
def. Murad Allahverdiyev (Azerbaijan) — 5:0
Robbie Gonzalez (USA)
def. Dias Molzhigitov (Kazakhstan) — 4:1
Wanderley de Souza Pereira (Brazil)
def. Kelyn Cassidy (Ireland) — KO, Round 2 (0:55)
Kaua dos Santos Bellini (Brazil)
def. Sanzhar-Ali Begaliev (Kazakhstan) — 5:0
Javokhir Ummataliev (Uzbekistan)
def. Nikolay Dishkov (Bulgaria) — 5:0
*Weight category up to 90 kg (Heavyweight)*
Samir Sobirov (Uzbekistan)
def. Yunus Emre Taskin (Turkey) — 5:0
Vitaliy Walter (Germany)
def. Stoyan Petrov (Bulgaria) — ABD, Round 2
(opponent retired)
Roselin Bachevski (Bulgaria)
def. Narek Manasyan (Armenia) — 3:2
(on a tied score, victory awarded by preference)
Nurmagamed Yussupov (Kazakhstan)
def. Connor Williams (Wales) — 4:0
*Weight category over 90 kg (Super Heavyweight)*
Dimitar Dimitrov (Bulgaria)
def. Sabuhi Alizada (Azerbaijan) — RSC-I, Round 1 (2:17)
(referee stopped contest due to injury)
Courtesy sportaran.com
