Five Brits secure Tokyo qualification at European Olympic Boxing Qualifiers

Boxing 05 Jun 21

Great Britain enjoyed a perfect day at the European Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in Paris as it was a clean sweep of British fighters securing Tokyo 2020 qualification.

Five British boxers entered the day knowing one victory would seal qualification, while defeat would end their Olympic dream and each of the quintet prevailed in their high-stakes bout.

On the women’s side, Lauren Price, Caroline Dubois and Charley Davison all triumphed to put themselves in line for a first Olympic appearance this summer, while in the men’s ranks, Luke McCormack did likewise and Ben Whittaker also qualified for what would be his second Games.

Lightweight McCormack was the first Brit in action in the day’s opening bout and the number three seed was pushed all the way by Tuğrul Erdemir before earning victory over his Turkish opponent, although only by split decision.

The evening session saw four more British fighters put their Olympic dreams on the line, with women’s flyweight star Davison first up.

Davison only returned to boxing less than two years ago, after taking a seven-year break from the sport – during which time she had three children – but was sublime in defeating former European silver medallist Sandra Drabik by unanimous decision.

Lightweight Dubois – who had beaten Rio 2016 bronze medallist Mira Potkonen in the previous round – was also a unanimous decision victor over Rebecca Nicoli of Italy.

One of the most naturally gifted boxers GB has produced, the 2018 Youth Olympics gold medallist is now on track to make her senior Games debut at the age of just 20 this summer.

Following qualification, Dubois said: “I feel really good.  I have come here and achieved what I set out to achieve. 

"The fight yesterday (against Potkonen) was tough, but I know what to expect.  Her game plan is to bully opponents so I know what was going to happen.  The coaches did a good job.  They kept me cool and I got through. 

“I did not come all this way to stop now.  I know who I have got next (in this tournament) and I want to go all the way.”

Top-seeded middleweight Price, a former international footballer for Wales, then made it three female British boxers from three securing Tokyo qualification with a controlled performance against Ukraine’s Anastasiia Chernokolenko for a unanimous decision triumph.

That left light heavyweight Whittaker with the responsibility of completing the British clean sweep and the reigning World Championship bronze medallist did exactly that.

Despite Whittaker’s height and reach advantage, the awkward, swarming style of opponent Liridon Nuha made for a scrappy, physical bout which the Brit did well to come through with a unanimous decision win.

Elsewhere on day two in Paris, Frazer Clarke and Cheavon Clarke both moved within one win of securing Tokyo 2020 qualification after victories in their round of 16 bouts and will have a chance to rubber-stamp their Olympic places on Sunday, along with Karriss Artingstall and Pat McCormack.

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