Durikova and Pumphrey are finalists in La Nucia

Slovakia’s Nicole Durikova and England’s Alice Pumphrey both joined the women’s finals in the Boxam Tournament in La Nucia, Alicante region in Spain.

Spain’s Marta Lopez del Arbol had a hard opponent in the semi-finals of the women’s minimumweight (48kg), Slovakia’s Nicole Durikova who looked competitive from the first seconds. Lopez moved more on feet in the second round but Durikova adopted that switch immediately to win this semi-final in La Nucia, causing a surprise.

England’s U19 World Champion Alice Pumphrey has joined the elite squad this January and the 19-year-old talent is one of their new aces. The English girl produced an excellent second round against Spain’s Laura Barcelo and the teenager will now meet for the title of the women’s light flyweight (50kg) Ukraine’s Yaroslava Marynchuk.

Romania’s Lacramioara Perijoc, the Women’s World silver medallist, had a strong start against England’s Olivia Holmes and she was aggressive in the attacks until the last gong. The experienced Romanian joined the finals of the Boxam and she will be facing with England’s Vivien Parsons who made a big U-turn against Wales’ Carmen Lynch from the second round.

Slovakia’s Miroslava Jedinakova used her longer reach against Ukraine’s Veronika Korets in the first semi-final of the women’s lightweight (60kg) and her counter-attacks worked well to secure a spot in the finals of the Boxam.

Romania’s Claudia Nechita and Hungary’s Vladislava Kukhta made an impressive first round in the second semi-final at the women’s lightweight (60kg). Both increased their rhythm in the beginning of the second round and Nechita was slightly better on the scorecards to join the finals in La Nucia.

England’s Amber Moss-Birch used her excellent rhythm to catch Ukraine’s 10-years-older Mariya Borutsa and she managed her pathway to the final once again. The English middleweight (75kg) boxer will have a local opponent for the title, Spain’s Dunia Martinez who had a success over a Kazakh youngster.