Commonwealth Games Round-Up
The Commonwealth games’ boxing is over after a fine day of exceptional finals, with competitive bouts throughout. There were knockdowns, fouls, fast hands and hard punches with gold medals on the line for all competing. There was joy for some and heartbreak for others, so read on and find out who won what at this years games.
Women’s Flyweight
Nicola Adams (England) won gold with a split decision over Michaela Walsh (Northern Ireland). Walsh was upset at the call, pointing to herself and saying “number one” as they made their way to the podium to collect their medals. The fight was close, and an argument could be made either way. Adams was buoyed by the atmosphere, describing it as a “Scottish rumble in the jungle”.
Women’s Lightweight
Shelley Watts (Australia) won gold with a unanimous decision over Laishram Devi (India). Devi started fast, catching Watts coming in. Watts was slower and lacked head movement, but won with her greater strength and harder punching, as well as good work to the body.
Women’s Middleweight
Savannah Marshall (England) won gold with a split decision over Arianne Fortin (Canada). The southpaw Fortin came forward in bursts and caught Marshall with the backhand, but Marshall generally dictated the fight. It was close, as shown in the judges scores; one had it 40-36 for Marshall, another had the same score, but for Fortin.
Men’s Light Flyweight
Paddy Barnes (Northern Ireland) won gold with a unanimous decision over Devendro Laishram (India). In winning, Barnes became the first fighter in forty years to retain commonwealth gold. Laishram whipped in hooks, but Barnes’ more compact boxing earned him the win in an excellent contest.
Men’s Flyweight
Andrew Moloney (Australia) won gold with a unanimous decision over Muhammad Waseem (Pakistan). Moloney was the better man, and was more attack-minded from the start, thus deserving the victory.
Men’s Bantamweight
Michael Conlan (Northern Ireland) won gold with a unanimous decision over Qais Ashfaq (England). Conlan prevailed, clearly taking the third round after a very scrappy fight. Ashfaq didn’t jab enough or take centre ring, allowing Conlan to come forward. There were warnings for fouls on the inside, but Conlan landed the best punch of the fight.
Men’s Lightweight
Charlie Flynn (Scotland) won gold with a unanimous decision over Joe Fitzpatrick (Northern Ireland). Flynn displayed the same aggression and inside instincts as he had done throughout the tournament, grinding away to earn the win. Fitzpatrick left his chin in the air too much, and had facial damage from a previous fight before the final began. Flynn, who works for the Royal Mail when he’s not boxing, celebrated by confirming; “The mailman delivers!”.
Men’s Light Welterweight
Josh Taylor (Scotland) won gold with a unanimous decision over Junius Jonas (Namibia). Taylor edged the first two rounds with cleaner boxing, catching Jonas with the right hook and using it, along with his southpaw stance, to spin off and out of punching range. Jonas came back in the third with relentless attack, throwing everything at Taylor, but it was too late.
Men’s Welterweight
Scott Fitzgerald (England) won gold with a unanimous decision over Mandeep Jangra (India). Fitzgerald scored a heavy knockdown in both the first and second rounds, as well as forcing another standing count later in the second. Jangra’s low hands didn’t work well against the fundamentally sound attacking style deployed by Fitzgerald.
Men’s Middleweight
Anthony Fowler (England) won gold with a unanimous decision over Vijender Vijender (India). Fowler hit Vijender thrice while his opponent was on the deck in the first round, yet was only issued a warning. Fowler went on to dominate ring centre, landing clean, hard shots to be a clear and deserved winner.
Men’s Light Heavyweight
David Nyika (New Zealand) won gold with a unanimous decision over Kennedy St Pierre (Mauritius). Nyika boxed on the back foot against the rampaging St Pierre, using his height advantage to try and evade shots. This defence was lax, allowing St Pierre to score eye-catching work, while Nyika arguably landed the cleaner shots with greater consistency. The crowd booed the judges decision when it was announced.
Men’s Heavyweight
Samir El-Mais (Canada) won gold with a split decision over David Light (New Zealand). In a close fight, El-Mais aggression perhaps swung the judges verdict in his favour. The fight could have gone either way.
Men’s Super Heavyweight
Joe Joyce (England) won gold with a unanimous decision over Joe Goodall (Australia). Joyce wore his man down with methodical, upright attacking. Utlising a good, strong jab and the occasional uppercut, Joyce picked his shots well.
Medals by Country – The Top Five
1 – England: 5 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
2 – Northern Ireland: 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 5 Bronze
3 – Australia: 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
4 – Scotland: 2 Gold, o Silver, 2 Bronze
5 – Canada: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
