A trio of British boxers claimed gold at the Belgrade Winners Tournament with Frazer Clarke named Boxer of the Tournament in a fine competition for GB Boxing in Serbia.
Clarke, the super-heavyweight, took an impressive gold by beating Russia’s Maksim Babanin, while Rosie Eccles won welterweight gold and Ben Whittaker claimed the light-heavyweight crown and was named Best Technical Boxer.
In all 10 of the 11 British boxers in action won medals at the event, with Charley Davidson taking silver in the flyweight on the final day, as they continue preparations for the all-important Olympic qualifier in Paris in June.
The medal haul was completed by bronze medals for Caroline Dubois, Pat McCormack, Luke McCormack, Cheavon Clarke, Galal Yafai and Peter McGrail .
Yafai and McGrail could both have expected to go deeper into the competition but were withdrawn as a precaution after securing bronze medals with victories in their quarter-finals, having both already sealed an Olympic quota spot at the truncated European Qualifying event last year.
GB Boxing’s Performance Director Rob McCracken said: “All boxers have performed superbly and been a credit to GB Boxing.
“The priority at this tournament was to ensure the boxers got some good quality competition after such a long lay-off, so to see them deliver a number of excellent performances and return with 10 medals has been a big success. We ought to have had more boxers in the finals, but overall it has been a very useful week that has enabled the team to secure some good action and get back into the routine of competing.
“The focus now is on the Olympic qualifier (in Paris, 4-8 June 2021) and making sure the boxers are well prepared and in the best possible shape to secure their place at Tokyo 2021.”
Sportsbeat 2021
Image credit: GB Boxing