Title dreams and farewells in Schwechat! Michaela Kotaskova defends her World Championship title, Mobin Kahraze becomes WBF International Champion – and Fadi Merza quietly says goodbye.
The WBF welterweight world champion is still Michaela Kotaskova. The Bounce boxer, who competes for Austria, defended her title for the second time on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Multiversum event center in Schwechat in front of more than 1,000 spectators and is now aiming for another world championship belt in addition to the WBF title. According to organizer and Bounce boss Marcos Nader, she has received an offer from England. Mobin Kahraze was the second Bounce boxer to win an international title that evening. He is now the WBF International Light Heavyweight Champion.
The toughest World Championship battle to date
“It was my toughest world championship fight to date,” said defending champion Michaela Kotaskova after her unanimous points victory over Argentinian Gisela Noemi Luna. As in her last fight against Mikaela Lauren, the bounce boxer got off to a brilliant start and caused a cut over her opponent’s left eye in the 3rd round, but had to take a hard blow to her ear in the 6th round, which had an effect. After that, she kept the Argentinian challenger at bay thanks to her longer reach, great agility and stamina and repeatedly landed effective blows to the head. The decision of the judges was then unanimous in her favor.
International title for Mobin Kahraze
Mobin Kahraze won the title of WBF International Champion for the first time after a commanding fight against Poland’s Przemyslaw Gorgon. With his fine boxing technique, he was superior to the robust Pole right from the start and was ahead in all rounds according to the unanimous verdict of the judges.
In what was irrevocably his last fight, martial arts legend Fadi Merza defeated Hungarian Bela Istvan Orban unanimously on points in a six-round middleweight bout. In a moving farewell speech, Merza thanked his training team, his family and his fans and promised to stay involved in martial arts in one form or another.
Seun Salami successful after a break from fighting
Bounce boxer Seun Salami celebrated a successful comeback in the super heavyweight division after a year out of action. He was the boss in the ring for five rounds against the strong and experienced Ukrainian Kostiantyn Dvbyshchenko, but Salami had fitness problems in the final round and only managed to save himself with difficulty after the final bell. The points victory was nevertheless unanimous for the bounce heavyweight.
Two quick knockout victories in the light and semi-heavy classes
Ricardo Dieguez celebrated his professional debut at light heavyweight against Romanian development opponent Ciprian Adrian Radu. The fight ended with a knockout in the first round.
Guest boxer Lorent Murati also made little fuss against the Serbian Radomir Jovanovic in the lightweight division. The one-sided fight ended with a knockout in the 3rd round.
Future of Olympic boxing secured
A few days ago, it became clear that boxing still has a future at the Olympic Games. With the founding of a new world federation, boxing will once again be represented at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Participation is the major goal of all Olympic boxers. At the Bounce Fight Night, the talented boxers from the boxing club showed that this goal is not unrealistic. There were exciting fights at a high level against strong international opponents.
In the weight class up to 67 kg, 17-year-old bounce boxer Ivan Bezuhlyi proved his great talent against German Belkjan Kalehiq, who is the same age, and won on points. It was the Ukrainian-born fighter’s 77th victory after 83 fights.
The only Austrian duel of the evening was also tough: In the weight class up to 86 kg, Bounce boxer Michael Derouiche won on points against Shinasi Aliev, who competes for Tyrol. It was only Aliev’s fifth defeat.
Bounce boxer Sewo Burushyan celebrated a special success in the 63.5 kg weight class. While Burshyan had only 24 fights under his belt, his opponent, the Serbian Sejdi Nazif, had already fought 135 fights, of which he had won 97. Burshyan won on points in a high-class fight.
In the 80 kg weight class, Bounce boxer Lucky Aimufua Osaro won on points against German Vitalij Walter. Bounce boxer Marcel Meinl put up a remarkable fight in the 75 kg weight class against the Serbian runner-up in the 2025 European Championships, Almir Memic. Meinl only had to concede defeat on points after a very tough fight.
The results of the 16th Bounce Fight Night
Professional boxing:
- Light heavyweight:Ricardo Dieguez (Bounce) vs Ciprian Adrian Rado (Romania) – Dieguez wins by knockout in the first round
- Lightweight: Lorent Murati (Kosovo) against Radomir Jovanovic (Serbia) – Murati wins by knockout in the third round
- Super heavyweight: Seun Salami (Bounce) vs Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko (Ukraine) – Salami wins on points
- WBF International Light Heavyweight Champion: Mobin Karhaze (Bounce) vs Przemyslaw Gorgon (Poland) – Karhaze wins by unanimous decision on points
- Middleweight: Fadi Merza (Austria) against Bela Istvan Orban (Hungary) – Merza wins unanimously on points
- WBF Welterweight World Championship: Michaela Kotaskova (Bounce) vs Gisela Noemi Luna (Argentina) – Kotaskova wins unanimously on points
Olympic boxing:
- Weight class up to 63.5 kg: Sewo Burushyan (Bounce) against Sejdi Nazif (Serbia) – Burushyan wins on points
- Weight class up to 67 kg: Ivan Bezuhlyi (Bounce) against Belkijan Kalehiq (Germany) – Bezuhlyi wins on points
- Weight class up to 75 kg: Marcel Meinl (Bounce) against Almir Memic (Serbia) – Memic wins on points
- Weight class up to 80 kg: Lucky Aimufua Osaro (Bounce) against Vitalij Winter (Germany) – Osaro wins on points
- Weight class up to 86 kg: Michael Derouiche (Bounce) against Shinasi Aliev (Tyrol) – Derouiche wins on points
Text: Press release / Bounce