Rising heavyweight talent Elwin ‘Bazooka’ Belezika: “Boxing makes me feel alive”

Elwin Belezika. Photo via Hammarby Boxning

Swedish heavyweight prospect Elwin “Bazooka” Belezika is one of Scandinavia’s most promising boxing talents right now.

Despite his young age, the 17-year-old Swede is an internationally decorated boxer, with a Youth European Boxing Championship bronze medal, two Danas Pozniak gold medals, and a Youth World Boxing Cup Adriatic Pearl silver medal to his name.

In April, “Bazooka” will go to Armenia to compete in the Youth European Boxing Championships, where he’s setting sights on winning gold.

“It’s the peak of 2023 and we take it very seriously. I’m going to a camp ten days before the Championships starts and then we fly straight to Armenia,” Belezika says in an exclusive interview with Frontkick.

The young boxer is confident in his abilities as he’s going into the Championships.

“I’ve already faced most of the boxers that will compete in the tournament, so I know what to expect. I will go for gold, that’s for sure!”

Elwin Belezika: “Boxing is like nothing else”

At 17, Belezika already competed in countries like Montenegro, Romania and Lithuania, places he says that he would never be able to go to without his fighting.

When you are talking to “Bazooka” you’re immediately struck by his passion for the sport.

“The feeling of boxing is like nothing else. The adrenaline, the feeling of winning or simply just being in the ring. Boxing makes me feel alive,” Belezika says.

The young southpaw heavyweight is a often described as a intelligent boxer, who’s fast as a lightweight and hits like a truck. In fact, his style has many resemblances to the mighty world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

“I have power and I’m fast, you can expect a little bit of everything from me in the ring. I enjoy watching boxers like Usyk and Dmitry Bivol, I like that kind of explosive boxing with straight punches. I study these fighters.”

Elwin Belezika. Photo via Hammarby Boxning

Five-time Swedish Championship gold medalist

When he’s not representing the Swedish National Team, Elwin Belezika fights for Stockholm’s Hammarby Boxning. During the past years, he won no fewer than five Swedish Championship gold medals for the club he holds so close to his heart.

“Hammarby has always supported me with everything. I’m very grateful to the club,” Belezika says.

One of Sweden’s most promising professional boxers, Costas Nanga, also boxed in the same club as the young heavyweight prospect.

“Costas is a dear friend of mine and a role model when it comes to boxing. He helped me in many ways and we train and hang out together. To see what he have done as a pro boxer in such a short time, that inspires me a lot”

Do you plan to go pro as well?

“That’s my goal. Maybe go pro after the Olympics in 2028, if I make it there. It could happen earlier too, if the right offer comes and all the pieces come together.”

Read more: Rising stars: 23 Swedish fighting prospects to watch in 2023

Follow Frontkick on Instagram for more news about Swedish boxing!