Ionut Baluta

Ionuț Baluta, nicknamed “Il Capo” (Italian for “The Boss”), is a Romanian professional boxer born on December 19, 1993, in Constanța, Romania. He currently resides in Madrid, Spain, where he has established himself as a figure in the city’s boxing scene—truly living up to his nickname as a boss of the Madrid fight game.

Baluta made his professional debut on April 16, 2016. Throughout his career, he has faced a number of high-level opponents. In 2020, he scored a unanimous decision victory over former world champion TJ Doheny in Dubai. Later that year, he pulled off a major upset by stopping David Oliver Joyce in the third round. In 2022, he challenged Liam Davies for the EBU and WBC International super bantamweight titles but lost via unanimous decision. He also fought Dennis McCann twice—the first bout in August 2023 ended in a technical draw due to an accidental head clash, while the rematch in July 2024 resulted in a unanimous decision loss for Baluta. On March 15, 2025, Baluta captured the WBO European super bantamweight title by defeating Brad Strand via split decision in Liverpool, a win that reaffirmed his standing as a top-tier contender.

Living in Madrid has deeply influenced Baluta’s lifestyle and outlook. The Spanish capital pulses with history, energy, and athletic ambition, making it an ideal home for a professional fighter. From early morning runs through Retiro Park to training in some of the city’s most respected gyms, Baluta is surrounded by a sports culture that values resilience and excellence. Madrid’s passionate embrace of football and combat sports drives his hunger for success. Whether he’s watching La Liga matches or pushing through intense sparring sessions, the city’s competitive spirit continues to fuel his ambitions. With his growing popularity and the city’s ever-expanding love for combat sports, Baluta may one day earn the opportunity to headline a major fight at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium—home of Real Madrid—and cement his place in the heart of a city.

Regarded for his incredible speed and agility, Baluta is known for his ability to maintain a relentless pace in the ring, pressuring opponents with an onslaught of punches. A true talent in his craft, Baluta adeptly maneuvers his head to evade his opponents' barrage of punches, leveraging this defensive skill to deflect the impact of combinations, all while unleashing powerful straight punches and precision lead hooks. Whether close or at range, he strategically capitalizes on openings, employing a swift left uppercut or a devastating left hook to exploit his opponent's errors. Displaying versatility, he transitions seamlessly between various combinations, be it a triple or double, effectively closing the gap and asserting control over the fight.

In addition to his offensive capabilities, Baluta is a tactician in the ring, often altering the rhythm of the fight with a high guard, keeping his opponents guessing about his next move. His adaptive strategy allows for an ever-shifting approach, be it engaging in a slugfest, adopting a more technical style, or employing hit-and-run tactics, showcasing a blend of tactics to confound adversaries. When trailing on scorecards, Baluta exhibits his resilience, launching a calculated offensive barrage with what could be described as 'superhuman' hooks in a bid to overturn the fight's outcome. His dynamic and multifaceted approach solidifies his status as a formidable and versatile boxer in the ring.