Pratljacic won the awaited super heavyweight final at the Grand Prix in Zagreb

The Grand Prix Zagreb was one of the last European international tournaments in 2023, the event saw nine champions in Croatia’s capital.

The Croatian Boxing Federation hosted several international competitions in the previous two years and they will be the host of the 2024 Youth World Boxing Championships.

A Spanish final was held at the light welterweight (63.5kg) in Zagreb where the 19-year-old Enrique Kakulov defeated his compatriot, the one-year older Salvador Flores with smart style of boxing.

Moldova’s best boxer, Alexandru Paraschiv controlled the welterweight (67kg) final against Rumen Rumenov of Bulgaria before Belgium’s returning veteran, Mohamed Rachem defeated Serbia’s Igor Rogic at the light middleweight (71kg).

Croatia’s No.1, Gabrijel Veocic earned a silver medal at the European Games and the 22-year-old light heavyweight (80kg) boxer qualified for the Paris Olympic Games. The Croatian boxer was too strong for Ukraine’s Dmytro Rybalko, he ruled this final to win it in the front of the home crowd.

Marko Calic made his debut for Croatia still in the 2000s and he turned to professional after his long amateur career. The 36-year-old Croatian heavyweight (92kg) boxer returned to the national team after a break and he won the Grand Prix following his success over an U22 talent, Jan Morovic.

Marko Milun and Luka Pratljacic both earned medals in the international championships during their career and their meeting was one of the most anticipated fight of the Grand Prix. Pratljacic was well-prepared against his top opponent and after two rounds of dominance, he decided the contest in the third winning the final by RSC.

Croatia’s best female boxer, Sara Beram and Italy’s ex-World Champion Alessia Mesiano faced in the final of the women’s light welterweight (63kg). Both of them have strong technical skills and in their meeting, the Croatian was favoured in four out of the five judges’ sheets.