At 23, Martin Koprivlenski chases a second EFA belt

At just 23, Martin Koprivlenski already has a place in EFA history, and on 3 October at ASICS Arena he will try to add another chapter. The kickboxer will fight for a title in a second weight class at the EFA 2 gala, Boec.bg reported.

In March, Koprivlenski won the organisation's 77 kg belt after a fierce fight with Italy's Valentino Valente, who had been unbeaten until then. Now he moves up to the 83.9 kg division, where he will face Morocco's Ilyas Chakir. Their bout is the main event of a night with 18 fights in total.

Koprivlenski expects his opponent to come forward from the opening bell and hunt for a knockout, but he is confident Chakir will not have an easy time. The Moroccan is taller, yet likes to trade at close range, something the Bulgarian sees as typical of Moroccan fighters. Koprivlenski says he likes testing himself against quality opponents: "I am grateful to EFA for putting a tough and experienced opponent in front of me."

He prepared for the fight in a five-week camp in the Netherlands, at the well-known Mike's Gym. There he focused on sparring, since there were plenty of partners and all of them were hungry to fight. "When you are among predators, you either become a predator or you are prey," Koprivlenski explained.

The training was so intense that sparring sessions looked like real fights, with everyone trying to finish the other man. His gear had to be replaced constantly. "In three weeks I tore through two pairs of gloves."

Tickets for EFA 2 are on sale at kupibileti.bg. The prelims start at 17:00 and the main card begins at 20:00.