School Euros 23: Mixed day for Team England despite guaranteeing another three bronze

Team England experienced mixed results on Day Five of the EUBC Schools European Championships 2023 in Slovenia as three schoolboys bowed out following a guaranteed three bronze medals for the Wolf Pack.

First up for the Three Lions was a ring clash as boxers took to both Ring A and Ring B in bout four of the day.

TM Boxing’s Yashua Flemming faced Daniele Fabi of Italy in an Under 48kg quarterfinal. After a classy first round from Yash, his Italian opponent tried to draw him into a brawl in the second.

After taking the scrappy second round, Flemming returned to his super slick self in the third and returned a unanimous decision victory to guarantee himself at least bronze.

At the same time, Letitia McKee faced Ruth Dossen of Ireland at Under 51kg.

The Birkenhead Venture schoolgirl found herself in a cagey opening round as both boxers looked to gauge their opponent.

After getting a read, Tish was able to move through the gears and boxed with fast combinations and superior strength to wear her opponent down and take a unanimous points victory and at least a bronze.

Next up was Platinum Boxing’s Siobhan Haley, taking to the ring for a second time at the competition this time against Ava Allison of Scotland at Under 54kg.

Vonny used her long southpaw lead to score well throughout the first to take the round on all of the judges’ cards.

It was more the same in the second, but Haley brought her backhand to the party and consistently pegged Allison back to comfortably go two rounds up.

The Scottish schoolgirl bravely upped the pressure in the third, but Vonny remained composed and skilful to take a unanimous points decision and make it three guaranteed bronze from three.

After a formidable start, the tide began to turn for Team England.

Billy Saunders was next to take to the ring, facing Ukrainian champion Mykhailo Sydorenko at Under 40kg.

In a tough assignment, the Ukrainian landed the cleaner shots throughout two tight rounds to leave Saunders two rounds down going into the final round.

The Sporting Ring Amigos boxer again performed well in the third round but fell to his opponent via unanimous decision on this occasion.

Following a tough bout, Saunders showed his class by congratulating the Ukrainian corner and boxer and holding the ropes as his opponent exited the ring.

Next up for England was Kai Walsh as he faced Rubin Clarkson of Scotland at Under 44kg.

In a really busy first round, the cleaner combinations came from the Scot who went on to take the first round.

Despite a better second round, the Scot shaded it on the scorecards leaving the Bodyshots boxer with it all to do in the third.

Walsh threw everything at his opponent, boxing well with his heart on his sleeve but the Scottish southpaw had the hold of the ring to take the spoils via a unanimous decision.

The final bout of the day for Team England fell into the capable hands of Owen McCann who was facing his third bout in five days.

The Rainham boxer faced another Scot in the form of Zain Iqbal at Under 46kg for the opportunity to claim bronze.

Both boxers struggled with their range end in the first round, as a low-scoring affair just went in favour of McCann. A similar second round swung in the favour of the Scot, leaving it all tied up for the third.

McCann started with a superb three-punch combination in a round which was to swing in the favour of both boxers throughout. A very close contest ultimately ended up going in favour of the Scot, via a tight 3-2 split decision.

England’s team manager in Slovenia, Tye Harold, said: “All six boxers tried their best, left it all in the ring and did their country, club, and themselves proud.

“The three lads that bowed out today will be hurting but they will come back stronger and wiser and I have no doubt that they will contest for medals in the future.

“I cannot overstate how difficult the conditions in the arena are for these young Schools boxers and the coaches.

“The temperatures are in the mid-30’s and the humidity is extreme… for their first major experience, everyone has been terrific.”

Day Six Schedule: