SANDY RYAN will meet Wales’ Rosie Eccles in the 69kgs final at the Commonwealth Games. On Wednesday England’s Ryan outboxed Marie-Jeanne Parent in their semi-final, landing counter-punches to outpoint the Canadian. Although one of the five judges surprisingly marked their card for Parent there was little doubt about the victor. In the other welterweight semi-final Eccles came through a war with Australia’s Kaye Scott. Eccles took a split decision over the host nation boxer.
English lightweight Calum French was caught out against swift, sharp Indian Manish Kaushik, who took a unanimous verdict. Northern Ireland and Wales both have medallists and 60kgs semi-finalists in James McGivern and Mickey McDonagh, who beat Jean John Colin of Mauritius and Thadius Katua of Papua New Guinea respectively.
Welsh light-heavyweight Sammy Lee came through a war with Uganda’s Regarn Simbwa. Lee leapt on Simbwa, dominating the early exchanges. But he put so much into the first round he was almost, almost out on his feet by the end of the contest. However he took a split decision and guaranteed himself a place on the podium.
England flyweight Lisa Whiteside advanced to the semi-final, beating India’s Pinki Rani on a split decision, as did Northern Ireland 51kgs Carly McNaul, who stopped Ayisat Oriyomi.
Lisa said, “I didn’t get an easy draw and she’s [Pinki Rani] a good opponent, we knew she would have a good tempo and she’s almost a mirror image of me.
“I’m taking one step at a time, one fight at a time and not putting any pressure on myself. And just enjoying it. Obviously, the dream is to get the gold medal.”
