Schools Euros 23: Five secure wins on opening day
August 17, 2023 | by Chris Boyd
Team England enjoyed a great start to the EUBC Schools European Championships 2023 in Maribor, Slovenia by securing five victories from six bouts on day one.
The squad, who affectionately coined themselves ‘The Wolf Pack’ during preparation camps, have shown a strong togetherness ahead of the tournament and have been desperate for the first bell to chime.
Sporting Ring’s William ‘Billy’ Saunders was first up for England in Under 40kg action against Italy’s Imad Bouraouia.
The orthodox boxer timed his attacks well whilst also using his speed to defend attacks as he secured a unanimous points decision victory.
Letitia McKee (Birkenhead Venture) was in action for the Three Lions in Ring B, as she competed against Rosie Swailes of Scotland in an Under 51kg bout.
McKee was composed throughout the three rounds and timed her shots well to also secure a unanimous points decision victory and advance into the next round.
Owen McCann was the next boxer to take to the ring, as he faced tricky opposition in the form of Ukrainian Maksym Tretiakov in Under 46kg action.
A hugely exciting bout was swayed in McCann’s favour in the second round, as the Rainham boxer showed more initiative to box his way to a 3-2 split decision victory.
The Purge’s Azaan Hussain came up against another tough opponent in Ireland’s Comhghall Guerrine in an Under 42kg bout.
The Yorkshire boxer found himself in a tough bout as expected and displayed resilience throughout three rounds but ultimately fell to a unanimous decision defeat.
TM Boxing’s Yashua Flemming then took to Ring B to face Greece’s Eleftherios Zournatzis in Under 48kg action.
King Yash, as he’s known to many, was composed throughout and landed well ensuring he secured himself a place in the next round and a bout on Saturday.
Finally for the Wolf Pack was Billingham Boxing Academy’s Sonny Hollingsworth.
The Tyne, Tees & Wear boxer faced Alessandro Facioni of Italy in an Under 57kg bout in front of his raucous teammates who watched on from the stands.
After a laboured first round, Hollingsworth produced a quality second and third round to secure a 4-1 split decision victory and advance into the next round.
Day Two Schedule:
