It was another brilliant victory and the best result yet in the senior career of 23-year-old Zadar heavyweight boxer Toni Filipi (of Boxing Club Gladijator) at the European Games in Minsk. The Croatian champion overcame Adam Hamori in the quarterfinal with a split decision by the judges and secured at least the bronze medal, reports HRT on June 25, 2019.
“What can I say, I am delighted, because of these things and these moments that I’ve been able to experience since I started boxing. However, I have not yet achieved what I want, and that is going to end. I’ve secured the bronze, now let's try to secure the final fight and the bright gold medal.”
Filipi commented on the fight against Hamori.
“I expected a tough and uncertain match. Hamori is an excellent boxer and that is what he showed in the ring. He was the third seed in the tournament, but this time I was better and that makes me particularly happy. I would also like to thank all my team, especially my coaches Kadić and Zubčić, and my supporters. I really heard them cheering, that meant a lot to me, so thank you again.”
For a place in the final, Filipi must fight against Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, who the judges unanimously ruled was better than the Italian Aziz Mouhiidine.
“Gadzhimagomedov is from the Russian boxing school, the second seed of the championship. He defeated Aziz, a very dangerous and great boxer. One thing is for sure, I am full of confidence, I believe in myself and I will do everything to make it into the final. Nobody can say that they are better, the ring is the only measure of that,” he added.
This is the second European medal for the Filipi family. In Baku in 2015, Toni's brother Josip Bepo Filipi won the bronze, also in the heavyweight category.
On Wednesday, our super-heavyweight Marko Milun (+91kg) can also secure a bronze medal in the quarterfinal duel with Gruzijce Bahtidze.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
