Youth Euros 2022: Day two – four from six Three Lions continue into the next stages

Team England enjoyed a tough, but overwhelmingly successful second day of the EUBC Youth European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The day didn’t start according to plan for the Three Lion’s as Mikie Tallon’s valiant efforts were unable to impress the judges and he came away with  3-2 split decision loss to Ukraine’s Vladyslav Kondratiuk.

However, Team England’s form was restored shortly after by sweet, countering punching, Osama Mohamed as he dazzled from start to finish to win by RSC against a tough Lithuania in Simonas Zelenekas, which put England back on track.

Westree ABC’s Enriko Itauma, boxing at Under 92kg was not messing around as he used his feet well and utilised his reach advantage to achieve an empathic knockdown and standing count, which resulted in Tariel Sharikadze’s (Georgia) corner throwing in the towel in the first round.

Frustrating start of the afternoon session for  England as Nelson Birchall lost via unanimous decision to Ireland’s  Jason Nevin.

Nevertheless  it wasn’t long before the Three Lions’ were back on winning form as Luke Turner, England’s very own slick Orthodox counter puncher started right from the off to gain a 5-0 unanimous victory – giving him his second win in the tournament.

Turner utilised his movement and tempo to outsmart the slightly taller Croatian, picking him off in every exchange, which was enough to convince the judges and secure his place in the next round of the competition

After a day highs and lows, the final roar came from Scunthorpe ABC’s Ebony Jones, who was cheered on by passionate Team England throughout.

The Under 50kg boxer was aggressive from round one, bobbing and weaving to win every round on all of the judges’ scorecards, with all five judges scoring it 30-27.

Friday schedule

Afternoon session (2pm start)

Ring B bout 8 Owen Ketley (red) v Bril Denis(GER, in blue) (approx 3:45pm, 1:45 UK time)

Ring A bout 12 Emily Whitworth (red) v Bachelet Cyndelle (FRA) (approx 4:45pm, 2:45pm UK time)

Ring B bout 13 Madeline Gittins (blue) v  Turbinina sofila  (UKR, in red) (approx 5pm, 3pm UK time)

Evening session (6pm start)

*Ring A bout 2 Frankie Wood (red) v Petrosyan Manvel  (ARM, in blue) (approx 6:15pm, 4:15pm UK time)

*Ring B bout 12 Damar Thomas (blue) v Zelenekas Simonas UKR, in blue) (approx 8:45pm, 6:45pm UK time)