Chakir edges Koprivlenski by split decision in the EFA 2 main event

The EFA 2 main event in Sofia ended with Ilyas Chakir beating Martin Koprivlenski by split decision after five rounds. The bout was contested under K-1 rules at 83.9 kg with the EFA title on the line, and it was Koprivlenski's first fight in this division.

According to Sportal.bg, the Bulgarian worked skilfully from the southpaw stance and stepped to the outside of Chakir, who fought from an orthodox stance. At mid-range Koprivlenski alternated hooks and uppercuts and pressed his opponent against the ropes.

In the second round a left hook from Chakir dropped Koprivlenski, to the dismay of much of the crowd at ASICS Arena. The 23-year-old from Burgas got up immediately and went looking for a knockdown of his own, but his pressure did not produce one.

The Mario and Teodora Kirilovi student picked up the pace in the fourth round with nice combinations of punches and kicks, but Chakir withstood the attacks.

In the fifth round the stands backed Koprivlenski with chants of "Bulgarians, heroes!". He won the round with stronger and more accurate boxing combinations and kept pushing forward, but as the outlet put it, that was not enough to turn the result around after the knockdown in the second.