Euro Juniors 2022: Day six round-up

Team England enjoyed a successful semi-finals day at the EUBC Junior European Championships 2022, in Montesilvano, Italy, with seven boxers progressing into the finals.

First up for Team England was John Tom Varey, as he faced a tough opponent in Alfie Jordan from Ireland.

In a nip and tuck affair, the under 46kg boxer needed the last round to secure victory against the southpaw.

The Box Smart Elite boxer did not disappoint, taking the vital session 5-0, earning an overall unanimous points win.

Following Varey’s victory was Alice Pumphrey, up against Azerbaijan boxer Aynur Mikayilova.

The Purge boxer went on a relentless march forward in rounds one and two, with calculated boxing to the head and body being successful.

A 5-0 points decision guaranteed silver at least for the under 50kg boxer.

Over in ring B, Adam Maca was facing Turkish opponent Refik Kartalup.

The contest was fought at a ferocious pace, with Maca needing to bounce back after conceding the first round.

The Rumbles boxer rose to the occasion, storming back in rounds two and three to earn a finals berth with an overall unanimous points win.

Next up was Ella Lonsdale, also facing Turkish opposition in Pinar Benek.

The Sunderland East End boxer gave a neat and tidy display, as she controlled the bout from start to finish.

A standing eight count against the Turk at the end of round three ensured a compelling performance and sealed a 5-0 points win for the under 50kg boxer.

Lilly Deacon was next for Team England, up against Amalia Nita of Romania.

The under 66kg boxer produced a perfect 5-0 score in the first round to get herself off to an excellent start.

However, Nita dug deep to reverse the deficit in rounds two and three to progress via a unanimous points decision.

First up in the afternoon session was Ruby White, as she took on Maria Georgeopoulou of Greece.

The Sturminster Newton boxer found herself in a tough contest against a strong opponent in Georgeopoulou, but the bout soon turned into the perfect advert for female boxing.

With White’s opponent hampered by an injury to her nose, the Team England boxer managed to land enough blows to take the decision on points.

Next up was Mohammad Safari in an all-southpaw clash against Irish boxer Jamie Collins.

A standing eight count in the dying seconds of the third round had looked to have won it for the under 48kg boxer.

However, it was Collins who advanced to the final with a split decision win.

Leighton Birchall oozed class in his bout against Francesco Crucilla of Italy.

The Jennings gym boxer forced two standing eight counts in rounds one and two, as he convinced the referee to save the Italian and advance Birchall into the European finals.

Redcar boxer, Keira Bowden, found herself in a tough all-southpaw clash against Niamh Mitchell of Scotland.

A standing eight count against Bowden in the first round and a warning for holding in the second saw the under 52kg boxer concede defeat against a talented Scot.

Luke Rodda was up next against a strong opponent in Bulgarian, Viktorio Iliev.

After two rounds, the affair was even. meaning it all rested on the final round for the West Ham boxer.

Luke gave it his all but unfortunately fell to defeat against Iliev, who took the bout in a split decision.

Nathan Barrett was the final boxer up for Team England.

The Powerday Hooks boxer looked assured throughout his bout against Turkish opponent Mustafa Sahim.

The under 63kg boxer put pressure on his opponent throughout, as Barrett forced a standing eight count in the last round to seal a unanimous decision and a place in the final.

Finals Day bouts

Afternoon session (1pm, 12noon UK time)

Bout 2: Under 48kg – Narmin Alizada (Azerbaijan) v Ruby White.

Bout 3: Under 50kg – Grace Conway (Ireland) v Alice Pumphrey.

Bout 5: Under 54kg – Niamh Keogh v Ella Lonsdale.

Bout 13: Under 46kg – Vagharshak Keyan (Armenia) v John Tom Varey.

Evening session (6pm, 5pm UK time)

Bout 4: Under 52kg – Leighton Birchall v Erik Arstamyan (Armenia).

Bout 6: Under 54kg – Adam Maca v Mahammaddali Ashiraliyev (Azerbaijan).

Bout 6: Under 63kg – Nathan Barrett v Emmanouil Fotiadis (Greece).