World Boxing Cup GB Open: A stellar display on Day Two
January 18, 2024 | by Chris Boyd
Only the draw prevented English boxers from completing a clean sweep on Day Two of the World Boxing Cup: GB Open 2024.
Eight took to the ring but only seven could win as Patris Mughalzai (Powerday Hooks) and Huey Malone (Christ the King) were drawn against one another at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
The Under 63.5kg produced a frantic contest in the early stages of the evening session, with both boxers receiving raucous support from the crowd.
Ultimately, Mughalzai’s game plan of drawing Malone in, changing the angle and landing earned him a unanimous decision victory.
It was 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Kiaran Macdonald (Sunderland ABC) who got the English contingent underway, as he faced Welshman Scott Richards in the opening bout of the day.
Macdonald’s jab was relentless throughout, whilst snapping backhands saw him comfortably secure a unanimous decision victory.
Next up was Small Heath’s Kerry Davis as she faced Finchley-based Nigerian Patricia Mbata.
Both boxers produced an entertaining opening round, but Davis kept it simple, landing clean combinations through superior footwork convincing all of the judges to give her the win.
Kode Red’s Chantelle Reid, boxing for the first time since joining GB, faced Irina Schonberger of Germany in an under 75kg contest.
Reid was accurate with her combinations, rocking Schonberger with her heavy shots throughout the first before forcing two standing eight counts in the second round.
The bout was heading in only one direction, but Chantelle took the decision out of the judges’ hands, forcing a third standing eight count in the final round which gave the referee no choice but to stop the contest.
Ramtin Musah (Beartown ABC) was the final English boxer to take to the ring in the morning session, facing Jindrich Janecka of the Czech Republic.
Musah found his range early, landing intense combinations to the body and head.
Taking heed from Chantelle Reid, the Beartown boxer handed his opponent a standing eight in the second round before forcing the referee to stop the contest in the third.
Joe Tyers (Billingham Boxing Academy) edged in and out of range, timing his backhands beautifully to defeat Erik Suchy of the Czech Republic by a 4-1 split decision.
Tyers also benefitted from vocal support and loaded up with shots throughout to the delight of the crowd.
Essex University’s Lewis Richardson closed the curtain on a successful day with a calm and composed unanimous decision victory over Martin Skogheim (Norway).
The taller southpaw stepped in and out, returning all flurries to overwhelm the Norwegian and take the decision.
Elsewhere, Halliwell ABC’s Cindy Ngamba, competing for the Refugee Boxing Team, earned a classy 4-1 split decision victory over Love Holgersson of Sweden.
Ngamba, up against a much taller opponent, cut the ring off throughout and loaded up with shots to take a comfortable victory.
Royal Navy boxer George Crotty advanced into Friday’s semi-finals after his Tahitian opponent Noha Teumere withdrew from the competition.
Tickets
Tickets for the “World Boxing Cup: GB Open – Sheffield 2024” are still on sale, with prices starting at £10 (plus booking fee) for a day ticket, at www.seetickets.com and are available to purchase HERE.
Please note: Saturday 20th January’s Finals Day is sold out.
You can also follow all the action live via BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app as well as both GB Boxing and World Boxing’s YouTube channels.
Where to watch?
Friday 19th January: 11:00-14:00 GMT and 17:00-20:00 GMT –
BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app
The event is delivered by England Boxing in association with World Boxing and GB Boxing and is supported by the National Lottery, UK Sport and Sheffield City Council.
For results, interviews and behind-the-scenes content, visit England Boxing’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter channels.
