Durkacz Keeps Quarterfinal Hopes Alive; Warda and Białas End Their European Youth Championships Campaigns

Three representatives of Poland entered the ring on the opening day of the 26th European Men’s Youth Boxing Championships in Anapa. Damian Durkacz (56 kg) secured a victory, while Karol Warda (49 kg) and Konrad Białas (60 kg) lost their bouts.

Damian Durkacz, who represents KS Spartan Knurów, defeated Bulgaria’s Teodor Koev by a 2-1 split decision. German judge Juergen Schroeder awarded the Pole every round, scoring the bout 30-27. Swedish judge Mika Moisio also saw the 17-year-old as the winner, scoring it 29-28. However, Russia’s Sergey Krutasov scored the bout in favor of the Bulgarian, 29-28. A place in the quarterfinals will be at stake in the next bout. The Pole’s opponent today will be Israel’s Fady Malakh.

Unfortunately, 18-year-old Karol Warda and the one-year-younger Konrad Białas have said goodbye to the tournament. The former suffered a surprise defeat to Finland’s Masi Jurvanen. The judges were unanimous in favor of the Finn, scoring the bout 29-28 twice and 30-27. Meanwhile, the fighter from Jaworzno lost every round to Ireland’s Kieran Oliver McCarthy. In this case, each judge scored the bout 30-27 for the opponent.