Eduard_Gafencu

Eduard Gafencu

Eduard Gafencu

Romanian kickboxer and professional boxer

Eduard Gafencu (born February 9, 1993) is a Romanian kickboxer and former boxer. He currently competes in the Welterweight division for Glory. Gafencu is the first fighter to become a two-division Colosseum Tournament champion, holding titles in two weight classes simultaneously. He has also competed for Dynamite Fighting Show (DFS).

Quick Facts Born, Other names ...

As of 18 August 2020, he is the #14 ranked welterweight in the world, according to the International Professional Combat Council (IPCC).[2]

Early life

Gafencu played soccer from 7 to 14 years old, but quit after an injury. He also practiced swimming. Gafencu then started boxing at the age of 15, but after a short while he switched to kickboxing. At the age of 16 and a half, he had his first fight and practiced kickboxing until the age of 21, culminating in a three-year hiatus.[3]

Professional kickboxing career

Gafencu entered the professional circuit in 2017, after being initiated by the coach Gabriel Moț from Top Fighters Club and taken over from Arnold Nagy (Metalbox) by the Ruben Stoia Boxing Club.[4]

Colosseum Tournament

Gafencu competed for various regional Romanian promotions, in the process amassing a record of 6–0.

In 2018, Gafencu had signed a contract with the Colosseum Tournament. He took part in a four-man super welterweight tournament to determine the Colosseum Tournament's first Colosseum Tournament World Super Welterweight Champion.

Gafencu faced Adrian Cibu on September 17, 2018, in the semi-final of the Super Welterweight Tournament. He won the fight in emphatic fashion via knockout in round one to progress to the final round of the tournament. Gafencu faced Leonard Dorin's student Adelin Mihăilă at Colosseum Tournament 8 in the finals. Gafencu won the match via knockout in the third round. The triumph also earned Gafencu his first Performance of the Night award.[5]

Gafencu faced Flavius Boiciuc on December 14, 2018, at Colosseum Tournament 10. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[6]

Gafencu faced the Fight Institute by Peter Aerts's Thomas Doeve on March 29, 2019, at Colosseum Tournament 11. He won the fight via knockout in round one.[7][8][9] This win earned him his second Performance of the Night award.[10] The tornado kick knockout has been also acknowledged by sites like Sherdog, MMA Fighting, MMAjunkie.com and others as the potential Knockout of the Year for 2019.[11][12][13][14]

Gafencu moved down to the welterweight division. He faced the Bonjasky Academy's Ekrem Doruk for the inaugural Colosseum Tournament World Welterweight Championship on May 9, 2019, in the main event of Colosseum Tournament 12. He won the fight via knockout in the second round, becoming the first Colosseum Tournament fighter to win titles in two weight classes. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award for a third time.[15][16]

Dynamite Fighting Show

On January 23, 2020, it was announced that Gafencu had signed a deal with Dynamite Fighting Show.[17]

In his debut fight for the promotion, Gafencu faced the Hemmers Gym's Benjamin Masudi on March 5, 2020, at Dynamite Fighting Show 7. Eduard Gafencu knocked down Masudi twice in the fight. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Return to Colosseum Tournament

In September 2020, it was announced that Gafencu signed a deal to return to the Colosseum Tournament.[19]

In his return bout, Gafencu was expected to face Adelin Mihăilă in rematch on October 23, 2020, at Colosseum Tournament 20. However on October 6, it was announced that Mihăilă pulled out due to his COVID-19 recovery, and he was replaced by Alexandru Ianţoc. Gafencu won the fight via knockout in the second round.[20][21]

Gafencu faced Anghel Cardoş in a 3-round non-title on February 26, 2021, at Colosseum Tournament 23.[22] He lost the fight via decision. The result was seen as highly controversial.[23]

Following his first professional loss, Gafencu returned to face Flavius Boiciuc at Colosseum Tournament 25. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[24]

Fighting style

In 2019, Gafencu earned public praise from Romanian legend Daniel Ghiță for his ring performances.[14] He was described by Ghiță as "a highly talented kickboxer".[25]

On October 23, 2020, Gafencu proposed to Carmen Rus at Colosseum Tournament 20. They have one son.[26]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing

Kickboxing record

More information Date, Result ...

Professional boxing record

More information 3 fights, 3 wins ...
More information No., Result ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Edi Gafencu a pierdut al doilea meci al carierei" (in Romanian). Sport Arad. 2022-04-08.
  2. [2]
    IPCC WORLD RANKING 78.1KG - Kickboxing (K1 Rules)
  3. [3]
    "Povestea sportivului Eduard Gafencu. Arădeanul a ajuns și în presa din Vietnam datorită luptelor din ring" (in Romanian). ziardearad.ro. 2019-04-05.
  4. [4]
    "Cu Ruben Stoia și Eduard Gafencu în sala-simbol a BOXULUI ARĂDEAN" (in Romanian). Critic Arad. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  5. [5]
    "Video KO spectaculos la Colosseum Tournament. Victorie românească în main event" (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 17 September 2018.
  6. [6]
    "Results for Colosseum Tournament Kickboxing from Timisoara, Romania 14.12.2018". FightBox. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  7. [7]
    "Results for Colosseum Tournament Kickboxing XI 29.03.2019 from Bucharest, Romania". FightBox. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  8. [8]
    "Colosseum Tournament XI: Ghita Demolishes Vondracek". Kickboxing Z. 2019-03-29.
  9. [9]
    "BRUTAL: Tornado Kick KO". Kickboxing Z. 2019-03-31.
  10. [10]
    "Arădeanul Eduard Gafencu a semnat un acord cu Dynamite Fighting Show" (in Romanian). Ziar de Arad. 24 January 2020.
  11. [11]
    "Kickboxing Highlight Video: Eduard Gafencu Knocks Thomas Doeve Out Cold with Tornado Kick". Sherdog. 2019-03-29.
  12. [12]
    "Video: Eduard Gafencu lands spectacular tornado kick knockout". MMA Fighting. 2019-03-29.
  13. [13]
    "This nasty tornado kick knockout from Colosseum IX may take the weekend". MMAjunkie.com. 2019-03-29.
  14. [14]
    "Colosseum: "Tornado Kid" Returns in May". kickboxingz.com. 2019-04-07.
  15. [15]
    "Results: Gafencu, Mincu Win Titles at Colosseum Tournament XII". Kickboxing Z. 2019-05-09.
  16. [16]
    "Colosseum Tournament XII - LIVE from Arad, Romania 09.05.2019". fightbox.com. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  17. [17]
    "Dynamite Announces David vs Goliath 2, Signs Top Romanian Prospect". Kickboxing Z. 2020-01-24.
  18. [18]
    "DFS 7: David vs Goliath 2 Results". Kickboxing Z. 2020-03-05.
  19. [19]
    ""Tornado Kid" Gafencu Returning to Colosseum". Kickboxing Z. 2020-10-09.
  20. [20]
    "Colosseum Tournament: Dey Grand Prix Results". Kickboxing Z. 2020-10-23.
  21. [21]
    "Results for Colosseum Tournament Kickboxing from Arad, Romania 23.10.2020". FightBox. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  22. [22]
    "Cardos Says He'll KO Gafencu at Colosseum XXIII". Kickboxing Z. 2021-02-11.
  23. [23]
    Colosseum Tournament XXIII: RESULTS
  24. [24]
    "Arădeanul Gafencu l-a bătut la puncte pe deveanul Boiciuc, la Gala Coloseum de la Timișoara". Glasul Aradului (in Romanian). 17 December 2018.
  25. [25]
    "Daniel Ghiță, unicul campion român de kickbox, le dă în freză lui Moroșanu și Zmărăndescu" (in Romanian). Evenimentul Zilei. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  26. [26]
    "Edi Gafencu și-a cerut iubita de soție după KO-ul asupra lui Ianțoc". Sport Arad (in Romanian). 23 October 2020.
  27. [27]
    "Video KO spectaculos la Colosseum Tournament. Victorie românească în main event" (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 2018-09-17.
  28. [28]
    https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=742746154549690&set=pcb.742746264549679
  29. [29]
    https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=742746051216367&set=pcb.742746264549679
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