Youth World Championships: Tough opponent for Soczyński, favorable draw for Durkacz

As many as 351 boxers from 62 countries will compete in St. Petersburg at the 5th Youth World Championships. The Polish fighters have learned their first opponents. The toughest task awaits Michał Soczyński (81 kg), who will face Cuban Osvary David Morrell in the round of 32 on November 18.

On the same day, Damian Durkacz (60 kg, 39 competitors) and Patryk Urbański (64 kg) will begin their campaigns. In the round of 64, their opponents will be Irishman Patrick Donovan, the 2015 world junior silver medalist, and Czech Petr Novak, respectively. The following day, November 19, Kamil Offman (91 kg) will enter the ring. His round-of-32 opponent will be Colombian John Javier Caicedo Obregon. The last Pole to box will be Eryk Apresyan (69 kg), on November 20. He will face Italian Remo Salvati, with a place in the round of 16 at stake.

If the Poles are to contend for medals, they face a long and grueling tournament. The 64 kg division features 44 competitors, the 69 kg category – 43, the 60 kg division – 39, the 81 kg division – 27, and the 91 kg division – 22.