BoxAm Tournament 2023, day four: Sensational England earn 10 golds

Team England had a Youth Finals Day to remember at the BoxAm tournament as they collected 10 of the 14 gold medals on offer in La Nucia.

Every one of the 12 boxers who competed brought home hardware, with all but two of them topping the medal rostrum.

Lauren Mackie (England), first up, was given a tough test in her Under 52kg bout with Spain’s Noelia Salmeron (Spain) but her terrific work rate saw the Burton Park boxer run out a 4-1 split winner.

Under 66kg contender Amy Nolan downed her opponent, Spain’s Ana Rodriguez, in the second round and forced another standing count in the third on her way to a unanimous decision.

Reigning world champion Amber Moss-Birch wasted little time in clinching top spot in her Over 82kg category, beating Daniela Golai (Spain) by a second round RSC.

Next up at Male Youth, Under 75kg was Emmanuel Buttigieg and the Newham boxer was always in control as he won unanimously against Latvia’s Aleksandrs Dmitrijevs, sinking to his knees when the decision was read out.

John-Tom Varey (England) displayed his trademark speed and slick footwork on his way to his own unanimous win against Spain’s Carlos Lopez.

There was disappointment for Joe Turner, however, as he dropped  a 3-2 split decision at Under 51kg against another Spainard, Asier Iturbe.

But England were soon back to winning ways as Owen Ketley triumphed at Under 54kg in his Battle of Britain against Wales’ Cory Jones, securing a unanimous decision.

Under 57kg boxer Denaeo George was at the top of his game as he stopped Puerto Rico’s Diego Ortiz in the second rpund after forcing two standing eight counts in quick succession.

Hamilton Joyce continued his impressive run by clinching a unanimous victory over Carlos Castro of Puerto Rico.

The Three Lions’ penultimate boxer in action, Ellis Panter was always in control as he beat Jose Canero of Spain by a unanimous decision at Under 67kg.

And the evening finished on yet another high as Conor McCormack beat Ruben Mataix (Spain) by a unanimous decision at Under 86kg.

Earlier, there had also been two GB Boxing boxers representing England in The Under-22 section of the competition.

Lucy Kings-Wheatley, from Acocks Green, was an impressive second round RSC victor over Spain’s Julia Cobeno at Under 60kg.

But Powerday Hooks’ Patris Mughalzai was edged out in a closely-matched bout with Salvadore Luque at Under 63.5kg.