Brandenburg Cup 23: Day Two

Team England remains undefeated at the Brandenburg Cup 2023, with four boxers securing victory and two advancing via walkover on day two in Lindow, Germany.

Defeat on day one for Lauren Mackie came in a non-competitive bout against tough opposition in the form of World bronze medallist Sai-Rai Brown-El of the United States.

The Team England boxer chose to take on an additional bout, outside of the Brandenburg bracket, to test herself and gain valuable experience.

In hindsight, it was a great decision, as her scheduled German opponent on day two Steffi Grin had to withdraw from the competition through injury. Mackie now advances to tomorrow’s final.

There was also a walkover victory for Box Smart Elite’s John Tom Varey.

The male, Under 48kg boxer was set to come up against Germany’s Mustafa Hamad but he too had to pull out through injury, meaning Varey also advances into a final on Friday.

There was to be action for the Three Lions on day two though and it finally came in the seventh bout of the second session as Pinewood Starr’s Zayn Ahmed took to the ring.

The Under 54kg boxer faced troubling opposition in Danylo Peretokin of Ukraine.

Speedy southpaw Ahmed used his jab to lead the Ukrainian into trouble on several occasions and showed grit to secure a close 3-2 split-decision victory and advance into the semi-finals.

Leon Hughes (Larches & Savick) also featured for the Three Lions in session two, as he competed against Maxim Schmidt of Germany in Over 92kg action.

Hughes was composed throughout the bout and timed his jabs and backhands well to keep his German opponent at bay and secure a comfortable unanimous points decision victory.

Session three brought Hamilton Joyce’s latest appearance in the competition as he faced Sean Murray of Ireland in an Under 60kg bout.

The typically intense Camp Detox boxer kept his opponent on the backfoot, as he landed quick combinations to earn himself a 4-1 split decision victory and secure a place in the semi-finals on Friday.

Last up for Team England was Burton Park’s Ellis Panter, as he took on home boxer Ali Gulam in Under 67kg action.

The Three Lions boxer was coolness personified throughout the bout, utilising his fast speed to avoid countless attacks from his German opponent.

Panter landed a sweet right hand in the third round to down Gulam and secure a unanimous point decision victory.

The results on day two mean four England boxers will compete in finals on Friday, they are Lauren Mackie, Amber Moss-Birch, John Tom Varey and Ellis Panter.

England’s five other boxers will be in semi-final action, meaning the whole Three Lions squad will compete in Germany’s capital on day three.

Day Three Schedule: