Hungarian boxing legends István “Koko” Kovács, president of the Hungarian Boxing Federation, Olympic, world and European boxing champion (left), and Zsolt “Madár” Erdei, world and European boxing champion (right), together with the wax figure of three-time Olympic boxing champion László Papp at Madame Tussauds Budapest
The Hungarian, European, and Pan-American boxing federations have jointly established the Papp Cup, which will be held for the first time on November 14 in Budapest, featuring the best boxers from both continents.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Hungarian Federation emphasized that the goal of the newly established Papp Cup is to convey the values of the sport to the widest possible audience and to provide new inspiration to young boxers and fans around the world.
The intercontinental team competition is “more than just a competition: it is a bridge between two continents, and therefore its significance extends far beyond the sporting results.”
It is rare in boxing for the very best athletes to step into the ring not for their individual goals, but for shared team success, and the Papp Cup offers precisely this unique experience for a single evening.
For decades, Europe and the Americas have been the dominant centers of Olympic-style boxing. A host of Olympic and world champions, legendary coaches, and key leaders in the sport have emerged from these two continents.
“The Papp Cup symbolizes unity, and the event provides an opportunity for athletes, coaches, referees, and sports leaders to celebrate boxing together, strengthen their professional cooperation, and forge new friendships across continents,” the statement reads.
“In recent years, Budapest has repeatedly proven itself to be one of the leading centers of international boxing. The Hungarian capital has hosted numerous continental championships and elite world championships, and it is also the venue for one of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious memorial tournaments. By hosting the first edition of the Papp Cup, Budapest can once again put Olympic-style boxing in the spotlight,” said István Kovács, president of the Hungarian Boxing Federation.
Elise Seignolle, president of the Panamerican Boxing Confederation (PBC), emphasized that the Papp Cup embodies the noblest values of Olympic-style boxing.
“By bringing together the best boxers from Europe and the Pan-American region, we are creating a unique platform that celebrates both competition at the highest level and the values that unite our sport.
We are proud to be part of the birth of a new tradition that inspires athletes, strengthens international cooperation, showcases the best of Olympic boxing, and we are already eagerly looking forward to the gala in Budapest,”
she noted.
Lars Brovil, president of the European federation, emphasized that the organization he leads is fully committed to the development of Olympic boxing and that it is a great pleasure for them to be part of this innovative initiative.
Fact
The athlete after whom the cup is named is not only an icon in Hungary, but throughout the boxing world. László Papp (1926–2003) is one of the most significant figures in Hungarian sports and has left a lasting mark on the world of boxing not only through his achievements, but also through his humanity, fairness, and exemplary conduct.
Olympic boxing champion László Papp (L) and Olympic wrestling champion Miklós Szilvásy on a boat ride during the 15th Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952. Photo: Fortepan / Sándor Bojár
He was the first in the history of the sport to win Olympic gold medals at three consecutive Games—in London (1948), Helsinki (1952), and Melbourne (1956).
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert
