Olympic qualification event

GB Boxing's campaign to secure places at London 2012 for the remaining men's weight categories at the qualifying tournament in Trabzon got off to great start yesterday, with emphatic wins from Josh Taylor, Sam Maxwell and Callum Smith.
Winners in bold

60kg: Josh Taylor (Scotland) v Miroslav Serban (Czech Republic) - last 32 15:6

The Prestonpans man got off to a spritely start, building a 5-2 lead in round one with a range of shots including short left hooks and straight shots. Both boxers scored three points apiece in the second, but an display of calm precision boxing in the last round saw Josh ease into a comfortable lead and finish a 15-6 winner.

60kg: Joe Cordina (Wales) v David Joyce (Ireland) - last 32 RET

A fantastic first round saw Joe race into a 10-4 lead showing a composure that belies his years. However, the experienced Irishman came back strongly in the second to force a standing count and take the lead by a score of 17-14. Joyce landed more powerful blows in the last that were just too much for Joe who was retired by the corner. A gutsy display but the experienced Irishman goes through to the next round.

60kg: Sam Maxwell (England) v Albert Selimov (Russia) - last 32 RSCI

Against the former European and World Champion, Sam Maxwell of the Salisbury ABC took one the world's top scalps stopping Albert Selimov in the opening round. It was an outstanding performance from Maxwell, full of composure, using both his reach and power to disorientate the Russian. With the scores poised at 2-2 and 4-4 after the opening two rounds, Sam grew in confidence as the bout wore on, and opened up a nasty gash on his opponent's left cheek. When the doctor was called for the second time, proceedings were brought to an end, and Sam takes his place in the last 16.

81kg: Callum Smith v Mladen Manev (Bulgaria) - last 32 16:13

In his 81kg debut, Callum showed his technical superiority, hand speed and durability to deal with the powerful Bulgarian. Opening up a 6-4 lead at the end of the first round, Callum employed his jab to superb effect to dominate his opponent. With the score nicely poised at 11-8 going into the last, Callum held his nerve and refused to be bullied by his opponent, to run out the winner by a score of 16-13.


Day two draw

Afternoon

75kg: Anthony Ogogo v Fatlum Zuma (Macedonia) - last 16

Evening

81kg: Callum Smith v Bosco Drascovic (Montenegro) - last 16

91kg: ****** Baister v Aboulaye Diane (France) - last 16

 

Irelands Ross Hickey has just lost to Dimitri Galagot of Moldova 24-11. Bit disappointed with that one.

 

Nicely done by Anthony Ogogo, wins 18-5.

The lads are doing well so far.

Also: Matthew Holt and John Dennon are great to follow on twitter for these updates...

 

Ireland's 69kgs Adam Nolan picks himself off the canvas to make sure of a 14-9 win over Poland's Tomasz Kot.

 

Good man nolan:good

 

Thomas McCarthy wins.
Joe Ward apparently robbed against a turk, not happy about that one!

 

whats happened to lawrence oueseke?

 

is there a way of watchin the bouts ? or get the fighting order

 

Funding comes from Govt. They are very keen to fund olympic sports where competitors have a chance of winning medals. If the UK doesnt win medals then funding will be cut. The multi-weight nature of boxing means there is more chance of return on that investment than say for the high jump or javelin. I dont think there's any doubt that the drastic increase in funding has made a huge difference to success in the big tournaments - Britain wins most of its medals in events like Swimming, Cycling, Sailing where equipment and training is often prohibitively expensive for the majority of people in the poorer nations of the world.

 

Yes I think your right what they want is medals and I guess that target tat in whatever way they possibly can. Really good to see from a boxing fans perspective but as you say you can see the difference where the funds have been targeted.

Callum Smith is on very soon according to Dennen

 

Smith won 18-8

 

:happy 2 more wins and he is an Olympian

 

Live updates on the aiba website

http://88.85.4.2/results-daily-on_E.html

 

Baister's got through