European Championship triumph in sight

Viennese boxing ace “Rocky” fights for the big title

Boxer Mansur Elsaev (right) is still unbeaten in the ring.(Bild: ZVG)

 Boxer Mansur Elsaev is still unbeaten in the ring and has 18 wins in 18 fights. Austria's number one wants to celebrate his European Championship triumph in the Steffl Arena on Saturday. However, the title is just the beginning. Every Sunday, young people go for a run in the Vienna Prater.

Mansur Elsaev also has qualities as a doorman or employee of a well-known supermarket chain. But the 33-year-old really feels at home in the boxing ring. In which he is currently Austria's number one and has celebrated 18 victories in 18 professional fights to date, 16 by knockout. On Saturday, the man with the nicknames "Golden Boy" and "Rocky of Vienna" can look forward to the most important fight of his career to date. One he has had to wait a very long time for. In the Steffl Arena, he will now face Frenchman Mickael Diallo (nicknamed "The Catalan Bomber") for the European light heavyweight title. "An extremely strong opponent, but I'm ready and looking forward to the fight," says Elsaev, eagerly awaiting day X.

The 33-year-old has celebrated 18 victories in 18 fights.(Bild: ZVG)

Nevertheless, the title should only be a stopover: "I dream of winning the world title for Austria!" Born in Chechnya in 1991, Elsaev came to Vienna in 2004 and started boxing here. From 2009 to 2012, he boxed in Russia for the national team there, before returning to Vienna (Leopoldstadt). In 2014, Elsaev took the plunge into a professional career, in which he is still undefeated. In his role as a boxing star, it is particularly important to him to be a role model for young people. "Because I know that young people on the street get up to a lot of nonsense. They need encouragement and attention. And that's what I want to give them."

He goes for a run with the young people every week.(Bild: ZVG)

Every Sunday, for example, he gathers up to 50 young people in Vienna's Prater for a joint run. A few months ago, Elsaev founded the "Golden Boy Boxing Vienna" association. The aim is to set up his own boxing academy to offer children and young people opportunities and prospects. "To see what is possible with hard work and an iron will!" Maybe even the European Championship title.