Cyril Benzaquen
French kickboxer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cyril Benzaquen (born 2 October 1989) is a French Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer. He is the current ISKA World Light Heavyweight Oriental Rules champion.[3]
Clamart, Hauts-de-Seine, France
| Cyril Benzaquen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 October 1989 Clamart, Hauts-de-Seine, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] |
| Weight | 81 kg (179 lb; 12 st 11 lb) |
| Division | Light heavyweight |
| Style | Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of | Paris, France |
| Team | Team Zeitoun[2] |
| Trainer | André Zeitoun |
| Years active | 2010 - present |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 39 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| Losses | 12 |
| By knockout | 0 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Other information | |
| University | Paris Dauphine University |
| Website | http://www.cyrilbenzaquen.com/ |
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |
As an amateur, Benzaquen twice medaled at the World Muaythai Federation World Championships and once at the IFMA European Championships.[4]
Personal life
Cyril works as a model.
He is of Moroccan-Jewish origin[5] and of "traditionalist" Jewish faith.[6]
After obtaining a scientific baccalauréat, he continued his studies at the IUT of Sceaux where he obtained a DUT in marketing. He then joined Paris-Dauphine University in a management license adapted to high-level athletes, then in a traditional management license, from which he graduated respectively in 2011 and 2013. He achieved a BAC + 5 at the University of Paris Dauphine.[7] He obtained a master's degree in marketing in 2014 and a master's degree in entrepreneurship in 2015. For his end-of-studies project, supported by the It Agency, he organized the Dauphine Boxing Tour.[8]
Martial arts career
Early career
Benzaquen made his professional debut against Didier Charlesege at La Nuit Des Combattants on 22 May 2010. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[9] He suffered his first professional loss in his next fight, as Raphael Mebenga beat him by unanimous decision at France Vs Thaïlande : Mabel Vs Saiyoke on 29 October 2010.[10]
Benzaquen rebounded by winning his next four fights: he beat Alassane Sy by decision at La Bataille De L'Ile De France on 10 December 2010, Willy Prophete by decision at VXS Kickboxing Show on 23 April 2011, René Dione at La Nuit du Kick Boxing on 26 November 2011, and Manuel Romero at Kick-Boxing Show on 13 October 2012. He fought to a draw with Arthur Kouane at Konateam Cup on 21 May 2012.[11][12]
Benzaquen's four-fight winning streak was snapped by a two-fight losing skid, as he dropped decisions to Francis Tavares at VXS Niglo New Concept on 11 May 2013, and Malik Aliane at Boxing Factory Trophy 2013 on 25 May 2013. He split wins and losses in his next two appearances, as he stopped Giorgio Galasso with a spinning backfist at Lion Promotion & NCA Web on 1 December 2013, but lost a decision to Djibril Ehouo at Grande Soirée de la Boxe on 1 February 2014.[13]
Benzequan's victory over René Dione at Demi-Finales Nationales Japan Kick on 5 April 2014, earned him the chance to fight Abderrahim Chafay for the FFSCDA -81 kg title at Night Fighter 1 on 26 April 2014. He captured his first professional title by a second-round technical knockout.[14]
ISKA Light heavyweight champion
Benzaquen faced Adelino Boa Morte for the vacant ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) championship at Dauphine Boxing Tour on 27 November 2015. He captured the title by unanimous decision.[15] This victory earned Benzaquen his Glory debut, as he was booked to face Cédric Tousch at Glory 28: Paris on 12 March 2016.[16] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[17]
Benzaquen made his first ISKA Light heavyweight title defense against Kevin Ward at Cavalaire Kickboxing Show on 28 May 2016.[18] He retained the title by unanimous decision. Benzaquen then made two non-title bout appearances at Super Muaythai events. He first overcame Chase Walden by unanimous decision on 12 August 2016,[19] which he followed up by another unanimous decision victory against Denis MuaythaiAcademy on 4 February 2017. Benzaquen made his ACB debut against Alexander Stetsurenko at ACB KB 13: From Paris with war on 25 March 2017.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]
Benzaquen made his second ISKA World Oriental rules title defense against Mbamba Cauwenbergh at Triumph Fighting Tour on 22 June 2017. He retained the title by unanimous decision.[22] Benzaquen challenged Elijah Bokeli for the WAKO-Pro World K-1 Light heavyweight title at Triumph Fighting Tour on 30 November 2018.[23] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[24]
Bezaquen made his third ISKA title defense against Daniel Frigola at Triumph Fighting Tour on 13 June 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[25] Benzaquen made his fourth ISKA title defense against Ioannis Sofokleous at Triumph Fighting Tour on 12 December 2019.[26] He retained the title by unanimous decision.[27]
Benzaquen made his fifth ISKA title defense in a match against Florin Lambagiu on 31 May 2022, at Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris, France. He won the fight via unanimous decision, which was found controversial by several media outlets.[28][29][30] The International Sport Karate Association commission eventually denied Lambagiu's appeal, but ordered a rematch within twelve months.[31] On 22 May 2023, it was revealed that Lambagiu tested positive for undisclosed performance enhancing drugs on 31 May 2022 prior to Kickboxing Prestige. Lambagiu was subsequently banned from competing in France for four years.[32][33]
GLORY
Benzequen made his GLORY debut against Soufian Abdelkhalek at Glory 91 on April 27, 2024.[34] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[35]
Championships and accomplishments
Professional
- International Sport Karate Association
- 2015 ISKA Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) World Champion
- Six successful title defenses[28]
- 2025 ISKA Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) World Champion
- 2015 ISKA Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) World Champion
Amateur
- World Muaythai Federation
- International Federation of Muaythai Associations
2013 IFMA European Championships B-class (-81 kg)[38]
- World Kickboxing Federation
Kickboxing record
| 25 wins (4 (T)KOs), 12 losses, 3 draws, 0 no contests | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-30 | Win |  Samir Selmi | Championnat du Monde ISKA | Paris, France | TKO (low kicks) | 3 | 1:37 | |
| Defended the ISKA Kickboxing World Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2026-02-12 | Win | Gino Coriolano | Gala International Kickboxing | Chartres, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2025-12-20 | Win | Salvo Cubenda | La Nuit des Challenges 24 | Saint-Fons, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2025-05-21 | Win | Jacopo Tarantino | Championnat du Monde ISKA | Levallois-Perret, France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the vacant ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2024-04-27 | Loss |  Soufian Abdelkhalek | Glory 91 | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2024-02-08 | Loss |  Yohan Lidon | Lidon vs Benzaquen | Paris, France | Decision (split) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Loses the ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title and fails to capture the WKN K-1 World -85kg title. | ||||||||
| 2023-11-08 | Win | Alpha Mamadou Kaba | Sarcelles Boxing Show 3 | Sarcelles, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2022-05-31 | Win |  Florin Lambagiu | Kickboxing Prestige | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defends the ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2021-07-08 | Win | Angelo Mirno | Soiree Kickboxing Prestige | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-12-12 | Win |  Ioannis Sofokleous | Triumph Fighting Tour | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defends the ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2019-06-13 | Win |  Daniel Frigola | Triumph Fighting Tour | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defends the ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2018-11-30 | Loss | Elijah Bokeli | Triumph Fighting Tour | France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| For the WAKO-Pro World K-1 Light Heavyweight (-81.4 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2018-08-04 | Loss | Giuseppe De Domenico | Fight Night Saint-Tropez, Tournament Finals | Saint-Tropez, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-08-04 | Win |  Erik Matejovsky | Fight Night Saint-Tropez, Tournament Semifinals | Saint-Tropez, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-05-05 | Loss | Djibril Ehouo | Capital Fights 3 | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-04-08 | Draw | Wendy Annonay | Duel 3 | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-02-24 | Draw |  Darryl Sichtman | ACB KB 13: From Paris with war | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-12-09 | Loss | Rémy Vectol | Golden Fight | Levallois-Perret, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-11-17 | Loss | Malik Aliane | Warriors Night | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-06-22 | Win |  Mbamba Cauwenbergh | Triumph Fighting Tour | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defends the ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2017-03-25 | Win |  Alexander Stetsurenko | ACB KB 9: Showdown in Paris | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-02-04 | Win | Denis MuaythaiAcademy | Super Muaythai | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-08-12 | Win |  Chase Walden | Super Muaythai | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-05-28 | Win |  Kevin Ward | Cavalaire Kickboxing Show | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defends the ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2016-03-12 | Loss | Cédric Tousch | Glory 28: Paris | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-11-27 | Win |  Adelino Boa Morte | Dauphine Boxing Tour | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the vacant ISKA World Oriental Rules Light Heavyweight (-81.5 kg) title. | ||||||||
| 2015-02-21 | Win | Reda Hameur-Lain | Le Choc des Best Fighters 3 | Asnières-sur-Seine, France | TKO (retirement) | 2 | 3:00 | |
| 2014-04-26 | Win | Abderrahim Chafay | Night Fighter 1 | Toulouse, France | TKO (punches) | 2 | ||
| Wins the FFSCDA -81 kg title. | ||||||||
| 2014-04-05 | Win | René Dione | Demi-Finales Nationales Japan Kick | Groslay, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2014-02-01 | Loss | Djibril Ehouo | Grande Soirée de la Boxe | La Riche, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2013-12-01 | Win | Giorgio Galasso | Lion Promotion & NCA Web | Trieste, Italy | KO (spinning backfist) | 4 | ||
| 2013-05-25 | Loss | Malik Aliane | Boxing Factory Trophy 2013 | Colomiers, France | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2013-05-11 | Loss | Francis Tavares | VXS Niglo New Concept | Montpellier, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2012-10-13 | Win | Manuel Romero | Kick-Boxing Show | Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2012-05-21 | Draw | Arthur Kouane | Konateam Cup | Villiers-sur-Marne, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2011-11-26 | Win | René Dione | La Nuit du Kick Boxing | Les Mureaux, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2011-04-23 | Win | Willy Prophete | VXS Kickboxing Show | Persan, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2010-12-10 | Win | Alassane Sy | La Bataille De L'Ile De France | Nanterre, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2010-10-29 | Loss | Raphael Mebenga | France Vs Thaïlande : Mabel Vs Saiyoke | Paris, France | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2010-05-22 | Win | Didier Charlesege | La Nuit Des Combattants | Persan, France | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-03-23 | Win |  Luis Bernica | 2014 WKF World Championships, Tournament Final | Pattaya, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| Wins the 2014 WKF World Championships K-1 Championships -81kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2014-03-22 | Win |  Mandel de Jesus | 2014 WKF World Championships, Tournament Semifinal | Pattaya, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2013-11-02 | Win |  Henrich Pavel | 2013 WKF European Championships, Tournament Final | Bregenz, Austria | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| Wins the 2013 WKF European K-1 Championships -81kg Gold Medal. | ||||||||
| 2013-10-30 | Win |  Milan Pokermi | 2013 WKF European Championships, Tournament Semifinal | Bregenz, Austria | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2013-10-28 | Win | Thomas Gute | 2013 WKF European Championships, Tournament Quarterfinal | Bregenz, Austria | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2012-03-24 | Loss |  Richard Jocr | 2012 WMF World Championships, Tournament Final | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| Wins the 2012 WMF World Championships -81kg Silver Medal. | ||||||||
| 2012-03-23 | Win |  Somtos Losta | 2012 WMF World Championships, Tournament Semifinal | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2012-03-22 | Win |  Natan Borovitsky | 2012 WMF World Championships, Tournament Quarterfinal | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2010-03-23 | Loss |  Pavel Revtovich | 2010 WMF World Championships, Tournament Final | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| Wins the 2010 WMF World Championships -81kg Silver Medal. | ||||||||
| 2010-03-22 | Win | Roberto Martullo | 2010 WMF World Championships, Tournament Semifinal | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| 2010-03-21 | Win | Alessandro Lopez | 2010 WMF World Championships, Tournament Quarterfinal | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
Professional boxing record
| 3 fights | 1 win | 2 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By decision | 1 | 2 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Loss | 1–2 | Mehdi Salouane | SD | 4 | 9 Feb 2019 | Dome de Paris-Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Jeffe Florentz | UD | 4 | 23 Jun 2018 | Dome de Paris-Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Matthieu Bernardet | PTS | 4 | 25 May 2018 | Palais des Sports, Agde, France | |
