WHO IS ZSOLT BEDAK?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 06 Mar 2016
The next opponent of World Boxing Organization world superbantamweight champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. is Hungarian challenger Zsolt Bedak. He was rated No. 4 contender by the WBO and is set to face Donaire on April 23, 2016 at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Bedak was born on September 26, 1983 in Budapest, Hungary. He was also rated No. 13 contender by the WBA. His younger brother Pal Bedak is also a boxer fighting in the flyweight division and is undefeated in 8 pro fights with 5 KO's.
In 2001, Bedak won the bronze medal at the European Junior Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. He became a member of the Hungarian Olympic Team in 2004 in Athens, Greece fighting in the bantamweight division. He gained a slot for the 2004 Olympics by topping the 1st AIBA European 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
In Athens, he defeated Abner Mares of Mexico, 36-27 in the Round of 32. But he lost to Maksym Tretyak of Ukraine, 24-27 in the Round of 16. In 2005, he competed for Romania at the Boxing World Cup in Moscow, Russia. He lost his first match against Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba, 28-11 but won over Worapoj Petchkoom of Thailand in his second preliminary bout. In 2006 he won the bronze medal at the 2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
He garnered the gold medal in the 2006 European Union Amateur Boxing Championships in Pecs, Hungary. He got also the silver medal in the 2004 European Union Amateur Boxing Championships in Madrid, Spain.
He turned pro in 2006 and signed a contract to fight for Hamburg based Universum Box-Promotion. In his professional debut he won by TKO over Peter Balaz of Slovakia. In his 13th fight, he won the WBO European super bantamweight title over Franklin Teran of Spain by unanimous decision.
He later annexed the WBO intercontinental super bantamweight title by 2nd round TKO over Yersin Zhailauov of Kazakhstan. In May 2010, he fought Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. of Puerto Rico in Bayamon for the WBO world superbantamweight title but lost by TKO in the 10th round in his only professional loss.
His last fight was a unanimous division win over Nick Otieno of Kenya last September. His pro record now stands at 25-1 with 8 wins by KO's for a 31% KO rate. His nickname is Mr. Lefthook and is now 32 years old.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025