Boxing News 8 April 2005 - av Roger Söderberg

Russians show Swedes have found and lost
 

The Noble Art of self-defence is alive and well in Russia

Twenty years ago Swedish boxers were considered well-schooled and clever, but physically frail – perhaps mentally too. They would have been run over by a strong East European team.

Today Swedish boxers shoe Viking spirit, stamina and prepared to trade punches with anyone.

As for pure boxing, they have become crude.
 

On February 18, Sweden hosted Russia on dinner show at Restaurant Aveny in Sundsvall.
It was to celebrate 80 years of the Sundsvall Boxing Club.

The home side was generally outboxed and outfoxed by their well-schooled guests, who were preparing for sterner international competition later in the year.

Reigning European champion at 54 kgs bantamweight Gennadi Kovalev has fought internationally at 57 kgs.
 

Here he came in at 64 kgs and won a close decision over Sweden´s only Athens rep, Patrick Bogere. Kovalev surprisingly had problems with Bogere´s speed, but whenever Patrick was able to move his opponent into a dangerous position, the Swede was generally off-balance.

Kovalev, always in control of his boxing, would thus slip away. Bogere tends to blow hot and cold – more questions than answers were raised this time.
 

At light heavy Dennis Chernysh the 2000 World junior champion at 71 kgs used middleweight speed, a lightning fast jab and quick feet to dominate Sweden´s Euro rep in Pula last year Babacar Kamara. Camara looked dangerous whenever he managed to connect, but unfortunately those shots were few and far between.
 

Best Swedish performance came from the talented Kosovo-born Naim Terbunja at 69 kgs.

He may had somewhat easier opposition in Osman Atachev, but looked all business. Terbunja has ability. Another Russian to move up in weight was 2004 World Junior champion at 57kgs Eduard Ambartsumyan, who boxed in Sundsvall at light welter.
 

The Russian was too fast and skilled for strong local Richard Semakula. Richard was beatin in the finals of the 2003 Swedish championships by Sam Rukondo, who now is a pro in Britain.

Results: Swedish names first

Women: 57: Irena Pavic outpointed by Elena Grshova 3 – 0, 66: Anna Ingman outpointed Lubov Lopatima 2 – 1
 

Men: 64: Rickhard Semakula outpointed by Eduard Ambartsumyan 3 – 0, Patrik Bogere outpointed by Gennadi Kovelev 2 – 1 69: Naim Terbunja outpointed Osman Atachev 3 – 0 75kg: Kennedy Katende outpointed by Dimitry Bashktov 2 – 1 81 kgs: Babacar Kamara outpointed by Dennis Chernysh 3 – 9 91+kgs: Robert Helenius lost to Ali Nepshkuev rtd 2r.

Roger Söderberg