Talk Boxing Blog

Three Brits set for Beijing Glory

2008-08-20T16:40:52Z

Three boxers have secured at least bronze from Team GB and that isn't a bad place to be.

After a horrendous start to the boxing tournament where we lost one of our best medal hopes as he couldn't make weight, the boxers have performed well and three of the six will go away from China with something hanging around their neck.

David Price was first in the Super Heavyweight division – he forced his giant of an opponent to retire after the first round. Jaroslav Jaksto looked to of strained a hamstring and as he came out for the second round his corner waved the white towel. In his first fight the referee waved out the fight in the second round after Islam Timurziev's dream was ended by the referee, who waved off the fight after the European Champion and favourite was forced to take two standing eight counts within half a minute.

He was followed by Tony Jefferies in the Light Heavyweight division. He dispatched Hungarian Imre Szello 10-2 in the Quarter Finals and will face old rival Kenny Egan in the Semi-Final on Friday – a fight that you shouldn't miss if you are a big boxing fan!

The last member of the trio is James DeGale who fights in the Middleweight division. Speaking to BBC Sport after the fight, the 22 year-old said, "It was a fantastic win. You have to hit and move in amateur boxing and you will win - and I am good at it. I kept my focus and kept a nice high guard.”.

He also has to negotiate an Anglo-Irish semi-final as he takes on Darren Sutherland in his semi-final as he looks to get into the gold medal bout.

The progress of Amir Khan must be an inspiration to all of these guys. Audley Harrison's career may of stalled but Khan is flourishing. Just four years after getting a silver in Athens, he is now on Sky Box Office and is set to become one of the richest fighters in history if his career continues along the same upward curve.

These riches and rewards are there for the taking as long as the fighters continue to perform and for those who want to win in London in 2012 – this will have been quite some experience.

Khan signs up for Sky

2008-08-15T14:57:27Z

Amir Khan has left ITV for Sky but that isn't it - he's left them for Sky Box Office. Yes folks we are going to have to fork out £14.99 every time Khan fights from now on and that is just not what I nor many fans want to do. It might help him get more £ in the bank but it'll leave a lot of his loyal supporters disgusted.

Saunders out but looking ahead

2008-08-14T11:40:41Z

Billy Joe Saunders was a medal hope for Team GB but he did face a big-time Cuban. He is only 18 and London 2012 could be his time.

After Joe Murray...

2008-08-13T08:49:58Z

After Joe Murray – who was British boxing’s hope in the bantamweight division of the Olympics – lost to China’s Gu Yu in the first round, team coach

Terry Edwards was far from a happy man. He believes that the judges were bias in favour of the Chinese boxer in awarding him a 17-7 win.

Edwards said that he wasn’t claiming that Murray should have won, but that the judges were ‘very generous’ towards his opponent. More specifically, he believes that Gu Yu was getting a point for everything possible and that it was by no means a level playing field.

As for the fight itself, well, Murray found himself four points down early on. With his opponent seemingly winning points at will, the British boxer had to work extremely hard to claim any from the judges. He then adopted a style which meant he simply tried to stop Gu Yu hitting him. Murray himself said that this was the ‘only way’ he was going to win the fight.

With his mind wondering and his game affected by the points domination of his opponent, Murray was knocked to the canvas in the second round. He got himself back up, but as we now know, he went on to lose 17-7 on points.

Murray and Edwards were obviously critical of the score after this defeat and it’s not the first time player and coach has accused the judges of being bias in this Olympics. The Ukrainian boxing team made a complaint after lightweight Oleksandr Klyuchko lost 10-8 to Chinese fighter Hu Qing. Let’s hope it doesn’t become a trend to simply blame the judges after losing a fight – that would undermine the competition.

As for Murray’s situation, let’s get one thing straight. He didn’t deserve to win the fight, but the margain of defeat was disgraceful. Gu Yu was awarded for every punch, with Murray only being awarded for every other punch. Yu landed more significant blows and deserved his win but a 17-14 victory would have been more appropriate.

Of course, that wouldn’t have made much difference overall and wouldn’t have hid the fact that Murray wasn’t at his best against the fast-handed Yu. He came into these Olympics with a real chance of a medal and it is disappointing he is on his way home already. He still has a lot of potential though and If I was to bet on the Olympics in 2012 – I’d back Murray to be back to his best to win a medal in London.

Written by Thomas Rooney - A Freelance Sports Journalist

Great start for Team GB boxers in Beijing

2008-08-11T08:43:30Z

British welterweight Billy Joe Saunders and light-welterweight Bradley Saunders helped put the disappointment of losing Frankie Gavin from Team GB behind them as they both emerged victorious in their first fight of the Olympics.

Billy Joe was a very convincing winner over Turkey’s Adem Kilicci. The youngest member of the British boxing team won 14-3 against Kilicci – who is ranked as the world No 3 – and showed that he has what it takes to win a medal this summer. At just 18-years-old, Billy Joe showed excellent counter-punches throughout the fight and was constantly on top of his Turkish opponent. It was a fantastic and encouraging display.

As for Bradley Saunders, well, he was even more destructive in his victory over Ghana’s Samuel Kotey. The 22-year-old dealt two thunderous body shots to his opponent to win the fight in the first round. This came after a slow start from Saunders who allowed Kotey to take and early points lead. However, the two body blows were enough to earn him victory to prolong his Olympic dream.

Of the two fights, it was probably Billy Joe’s performance that caught my eye the most. To beat a world bronze medallist so convincingly at the tender age of 18 is very, very impressive. Team GB coach Terry Edwards was full of praise for the youngster, saying that it was a ‘very mature performance’ from Billy Joe who will fight Cuba’s Carlos Banteaux Suarez in the second round.

Everyone knows how strong the Cubans are in amateur boxing, so this will be a tough test for the young British boxer. However, after watching him in the first round, I certainly won’t hesitate before sticking some of my boxing betting money on him progressing to the third round. He could even emerge as an unlikely medal contender for Great Britain and potentially fill the void left by star of the team – Frankie Gavin.

The boxing schedule continues this week with Team GB captain, David Price – who is expected to secure a medal – in action in the super-heavyweight division on Wednesday. I will be reflecting on his fight during my next piece for Talk Boxing.

Written by Thomas Rooney – Freelance Sports Journalist

Medal hope Gavin out of Olympics

2008-08-07T09:16:29Z

He was being tipped to win Gold and was one of Team GB's best hopes to stand on top of the medal rostrum but it will not be for Frankie Gavin. He has failed to make weight and has pulled out of the Games - I just don't see how he can do this when his whole career has been building to this moment - does he have no self-control?