(JAN 15) Arguably Europe’s biggest Club tournament for females took place at the weekend in the Swedish town of Borås when boxers from all over Europe – and beyond - came to demonstrate their skills at the 2014 Golden Girl Box Cup Championships.

The Golden Girl Box Cup as always was open to all female boxers in all categories, Youth, Junior and Elite . The tournament was founded by Ray Husac and Lina Erlandsson and back in 2009, some 70 of the best female boxers in Europe came to fight for the title ”GOLDEN GIRL”. After the first day of many hard fights that first year , three boxers were nominated as possible first GOLDEN GIRL recipients: England’s Charley Davidson and Hannah Beharry plus Matilda Neren. In the end, the winner was English star, Hannah Beharry.

In 2011 more than 80 boxers entered and that year it was even harder for the judges to decide between Jemyma Betrian, Marielle V Hansen and Fadma Ali. It was the Netherlands boxer, Jemyma Betrian who won the title in the absence of Beharry.

Onto 2012, and again over 80 boxers entered and this time Hansen was back for revenge and nothing could stop her, she was the standout boxer. With tough competition from Sweden’s Helena Falk she finally got the title that she deserved .

In 2013 the organisers, changed the name from Box Cup to Championship and had a record 110 boxers entering the Championship. This time the participating Girls was even better and Marielle V Hansen came back to defend her title and she was challenged by some of the greatest female fighters that had entered the Boras ring. Finally it was between Ms Hansen and the Irish duo of Kelly Harrington and Lynne McEnery-O´Shea. After Harrington ‘losing’ her last fight and O´Shea and Hansen continuing winning it was so close that the jury was divided but on a majority 3-2 Hansen kept her crown.

So to the 2014 tournament, alas there was no Marielle Hansen as due to illness she had to pull out two days before the start of the tournament. Nonetheless it proved to be an outstanding success.

Some great boxers took part such as Sweden’s Anna Laurell and Love Holgersson, Russia’s Elena Gradinar, Australian Bianca Elmir, Linnea Strandell and EU bronze medallist Finland’s Mira Potkonen who fought a gallant fight before losing to Katie Taylor in Bray back in December.

The judges’ verdict for 2014? : “With aggressive power, with strength and killer shots Potkonen destroyed everything in her way. She delivered her punches with precision and accuracy with extreme power. Mira Potkonen is a very dangerous fighter and a powerful champion. It is not a question if you will get hit, the question is how hard you will get hit. Mira Potkonen is a lethal fighter who carries dynamite in her hands. We salute our new champion, a Great GOLDEN GIRL.

So who took the 2014 awards in Borås?

Best Diploma: Julie Madsen, Taastrup
Best Junior: Stephanie Tour, BK Värend
Best Youth: Agnes Alexiusson – Värnamo BK
Best Senior: Mira Potkonen – Team Finland
Best Slugger: Mira Potkonen – Team Finland
Best Technical boxer: Britt- Janne Mardal, Bergen AK
Best Showmanship: Veronica Losvik, Bergen AK
Best Fight: Ida Lundblad TIFA BC vs Sandra Brugger Team Switzerland
Best Club/ Team: Team Finland