Spanish boxer Laura Fuertes has advanced to the final of the European Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, following a split-decision victory over Germany’s Maxi Klozer in the under-51kg category. The 27-year-old Gijón native, who previously secured the first-ever elite continental medal for a female Spanish boxer, will compete for the gold medal on Friday.
Securing the Historic Final Berth in Sofia
Laura Fuertes booked her place in the continental championship match after a hard-fought semifinal battle against Maxi Klozer. The bout required maximum tactical execution from the Spanish fighter, who edged out the decision on the judges’ scorecards. The victory elevates her tournament run past her earlier milestone, when a quarterfinal triumph guaranteed her at least a bronze medal and broke new ground for the sport in Spain.
Path to the Semifinals and Previous Milestones
To reach the medal rounds in Bulgaria, Fuertes defeated Ireland’s Daina Moorehouse by a 4-1 split decision in the quarterfinals. That initial breakthrough bout required precise tactical adjustments. Following a closely contested opening two rounds against an opponent she had previously faced in Liverpool, Fuertes increased her aggression in the third frame to secure the verdict from the judges.
“Ya había peleado con ella, es una rival muy buena y muy fuerte. Creo que he dado un pasito más. El tercer asalto era el que decidía y he tirado todo”, stated Fuertes in comments provided by the Real Federación Española de Boxeo, reflecting on the intensity of her quarterfinal win.
Building a Legacy in International Boxing
Fuertes has consistently rewritten the record books for Spanish boxing over recent seasons. In 2022, she claimed a bronze medal at the World Championships in Istanbul, marking the first time a female Spanish boxer reached a medal in this competition. She followed that performance by securing another bronze at the 2023 European Games in Kraków, a result that earned her a quota spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Her preparation for the current European campaign featured a notable recovery period. Earlier in the year, Fuertes underwent surgery to treat a fracture in the phalange of her right pinky finger. Following her rehabilitation, she returned to top form by winning a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, where she defeated Algeria’s Fatiha Mansouri 4-1 in the final.
What Comes Next in Sofia
With her place in the final secured, Fuertes turns her attention to Friday’s gold-medal bout in the under-51kg division. The upcoming match represents her final hurdle in Bulgaria as she attempts to upgrade her historic medal collection to gold on the international stage.
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