Birmingham 2022: Five finalists and three bronze medallists at the Commonwealth Games for Team England

Five boxers clinched a finals place for Team England at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with three more having to settle for bronzes.

Demi-Jade Resztan began the day for the Three Lions with an impressive win over Modukanele of Botswana.

The New Astley boxer started on the front foot from the start landing with an early left cross and a repeat of that punch sent her opponent to the canvas with 20 second of the round to go, which she took unanimously, one judge scoring it 10-8.

Resztan continued to dominate in the second round, timing her counter punches brilliantly to continually pick off her opponent from Bostwana, with an identical result of four 10-9 scores and one of 10-8.

And the home boxer did not ease up and far from protecting her lead, she finished the contest the stronger to win unanimously.

Sunderland ABC’s Kiaran MacDonald put on a masterclass in his victory over fellow home nations boxer Jake Dodd of Wales.

The Welshman, from Wrexham, had stopped both his previous opponents by stepping inside to find success.

But he was never afforded that opportunity by southpaw MacDonald, who boxed superbly on the counter to pick off his opponent at regular intervals in the first round and establish an early leading, claiming it unanimously.

If that was impressive, then the North Easterner really showed his class in the second twice forcing standing eight counts with right hooks, the second seeing Dodd sent to the canvas, with unanimous 10-8 scores the result.

To his immense credit, Dodd continued to press hard as the third bell began, but it was not long until he was floored again by another right and this time the referee stepped in to end the contest early.

Lewis Richardson boxed well in his bout against Sam Hickey of Scotland, but was caught by a good shot from the Scotsman for a standing eight count and then in the next round fell victim to another pinpoint punch and the bout was waved off.

Lewis still secured himself a bronze medal and put in a stellar performance across the whole games.

Aaron Bowen battled hard in a closely fought encounter with Taylor Bevan of Wales, but lost by way of unanimous decision. It was nip and tuck and closer than unanimous scoreline suggested, with the bout being all to play for going into third round.

But it was Wales’ Bevan who was adjudged to have done the better work in the final round, to take it 5-0 on the judges scorecards.

Nevertheless, it was a very impressive Commonwealth Games debut from the Box Smart Elite man, with him earning a bronze medal for his performances.

Empire School of Boxing’s Savannah Stubley battled hard but was outboxed by the experienced reigning world champion, Zareen Nikhat of India.

Stubley still takes home a bronze medal after her quarter-final victory.

Gemma Richardson put in a superb performance to edge out the tall and rangey Jaismine Jaismine of India on a 3-2 split decision.

In a tight fought encounter, the Scunthorpe boxer got onto the front foot in each round and worked hard to get on the inside, cramping her Indian opponent for room.

And while she lost the final round, she had done enough in the first two to emerge a 3-2 victor and book her place in the final of the Under 60kg category.

Lewis Williams boxed smartly and effectively to secure a unanimous decision victory over Edgardo Coumi of Australia.

Some textbook boxing and his lethal left hand jab contributed to a well-rounded performance that will give the Cleary’s Gym boxer confidence going into his gold medal bout.

In the last bout of the day, Delicious Ore put on a fine show for a packed crowd at the NEC in Birmingham, by cruising to a unanimous decision victory over Leuila Mau’u of New Zealand.

Jewellery Quarter’s Orie made the quicker start and combined with his well timed jabs and floor movement, as he put in a disciplined display.

The home boxer listened to the advice of his coaches well and put into practice all of his experience to take a clean sweep of the judges scorecards in all three rounds.

All images by Andy Chubb (@SheffieldSport)

Day ten Team England final bouts

Morning session

Women’s Under 48kg – Nitu Nitu (India) v Demi-Jade Resztan (England), bout 1, approx. 10.30am.

Men’s Under 51kg – Amit (India) v Kiaran MacDonald (England), bout 2, approx 10:45am.

Afternoon session

Women’s Under 60kg – Gemma Richardson (England) v Amy Broadhurst (Northern Ireland), bout 5, approx. 4:15pm.

Men’s Under 92kg – Lewis Williams (England) v Auto Leau Plodzicki-Faoagali (Samoa), bout 6, approx. 4:45pm.

Evening session

Men’s Over 92kg – Sagar Sagar (India) v Delicious Orie (England), bout 5, approx. 8:45pm.

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