Ivanka Ivanova made Bulgarian boxing history on 10 August 2019. The Lioness beat unbeaten Pamela Treand in Veliko Tarnovo to become the first woman to win a Bulgarian professional title. Minutes later, a marriage proposal gave the crowd another reason to applaud.
The title was decided over ten rounds at bantamweight. Around 600 spectators at Vasil Levski Hall watched Ivanka face an opponent with nine wins from nine fights. A split decision gave The Lioness the belt.
Pamela arrived unbeaten
Born in Sofia and based in Geneva, Treand had begun her professional career in March 2015. Before travelling to Veliko Tarnovo, she had five wins inside the distance. Nine consecutive victories had brought her into European title discussions, and the challenge to Ivanka came at this important moment for her.
For Pamela, the Bulgarian belt could have been the next step upwards. The meeting with The Lioness therefore carried more than a local rivalry: it brought together an unbeaten boxer’s ambition and the experience of a woman who had already faced serious opponents abroad.
More than a record on paper
Ivanova’s record before the fight was two wins, eleven losses and two draws. At a glance, those numbers did not put her alongside Treand. But The Lioness arrived with accumulated rounds against strong opponents and the confidence that she could use that experience before a Bulgarian crowd.
Even before the bout, Ivanka spoke about a win potentially bringing her closer to a European title. For her, the ten rounds in Veliko Tarnovo were a chance to change the direction of her career. She had to earn it against Pamela, who had never lost as a professional.
Ten rounds to a historic decision
The fight maintained its high pace and frequent exchanges until the end. Ivanka began confidently, but after the seventh round fatigue made her task harder — something she described herself after winning. There was no early finish; both women had to complete the championship distance.
Two judges preferred Ivanova’s work; one favoured Treand. The Lioness’s hand was raised for her third professional victory. That win brought the first Bulgarian women’s professional belt — an achievement worth far more than one extra number in the statistics.
A proposal after the final bell
After the fight, Pamela’s coach and manager, Samir Hotic, entered the ring with an engagement ring and proposed. She accepted. The proposal was captured on video and in photographs, and the crowd greeted their personal moment with applause.
Vasko Alexeev’s “Boxing Clash 2” event left both women with a night to remember. Ivanka left as champion. Pamela left with her first professional defeat — and a marriage proposal she had accepted.
Ivanka Ivanova vs Pamela Treand
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