European Boxing Championships 2024: Radoslav Rosenov Reaches the Gold Medal Final in Sofia
- The Men's and Women's European Boxing Championships have brought over 400 competitors from 40 nations to Sofia, Bulgaria.
- Several local contenders exited the competition in the opening round, including Semion Boldirev, Kiril Georgiev, Zlatislava Chukanova, and Venelina Poptoleva.
- Radoslav Rosenov advanced to the final of the 60-kilogram division.
The Men’s and Women’s European Boxing Championships have brought over 400 competitors from 40 nations to Sofia, Bulgaria. The tournament runs from September 17 to September 25, 2026, at the Asics Arena, featuring bouts across 20 weight categories.
Bulgarian Campaign and Quarterfinal Exits
Several local contenders exited the competition in the opening round, including Semion Boldirev, Kiril Georgiev, Zlatislava Chukanova, and Venelina Poptoleva. Stanimira Petrova missed out on her medal ambitions in the 57-kilogram division. The world and four-time European champion fell in the quarterfinals by a unanimous judges’ decision to Ireland’s Michaela Walsh. Additional quarterfinal losses mounted for the host nation as well. Javier Ibanez dropped his bout to Britain’s Abdul Burton, while Roselin Bachevski faced defeat against Emmanuel Reyes, a bronze medalist at the Paris Olympic Games and the last three world championships. In the 80-kilogram category, Aleyna Mehmed lost by a unanimous judges’ decision of 27–30 across all cards to Ukraine’s Iryna Lutsak. William Cholov also missed the semifinal cut in the 80-kilogram bracket after a stoppage due to a cut at the end of the first round against Serbia’s Rastko Simic. Meanwhile, Rami Kiouan secured a bronze medal, finishing his tournament run after a 1–4 semifinal defeat in the 75-kilogram class against Russia’s Ismail Mutsolgov.
Radoslav Rosenov advanced to the final of the 60-kilogram division. The 22-year-old fighter from Ruse, a five-time Strandja Cup winner, 2024 Belgrade runner-up, and 2025 Liverpool world bronze medalist, secured his place in the title match by defeating Andres Hernandez. Rosenov faces Ukraine’s Aider Abduraimov in the gold medal match. Abduraimov is a familiar opponent for the Bulgarian team, having previously lost to Rosenov in Liverpool a year prior, while also holding a defeat against Javier Ibanez at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Both fighters are 22 years old.
Broadcast and Schedule Details
The final bout between Rosenov and Abduraimov is scheduled for September 25, 2026, at approximately 19:30 local time. Bulgarian National Television channel BNT 3 provides live coverage of the finals, with the broadcast starting at 17:00 local time.