European Championships enter semi-final stages

April 23, 2018 | by Gemma Field

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The English Team at the EUBC European Championships have started the competition with a series of strong performances and continue ahead with six boxers into the semi-finals.

In the quarter-finals wins went to Caroline Dubois, Gemma Richardson, Hassaz Azim, Conner Tudsbury Hope Price and Karol Itauma.

60kg Caroline Dubois (ENG) v Natalie Polednikova (CZE) – won RSC Rd2

Dubois eased her way into the first round as she stalked her opponent around the ring looking for openings. Her Southpaw lead right hand was always the potent force throughout the bout and none more so when she gave the Czech a count in the second round following a vicious right hook.

Buoyed by the count, Dubois upped her pace and her power and picked the Czech off as she tried to come in. Dubois was just too strong and too skilful. The Czech was given a second count in the round and the referee then stopped the bout. Dubois now progresses to the semi-finals on Tuesday where she will meet German, Stephanie von Berger.

Her results from previous rounds were:

60kg (F) preliminary Vilma Vitanen (FIN) v Caroline Dubois (ENG) – won 5:0

60kg Caroline Dubois (ENG) v Natalie Polednikova (CZE) – won RSC Rd2

64kg Sabrina Er Raqioui (ITA) v Gemma Richardson (ENG) – won 5:0

Richardson faced a tricky bout against the taller, orthodox boxer from the home nation Italy. The Italian started fast and initially caught Richardson with straight shots through the middle of the English girls guard. Richardson worked hard as she always does and forced her way back into the round with some great combination work. The second like the first was close but shaded by Richardson who put together a superb left jab/right hook followed by an uppercut combination to rock the Italian’s head back. The third was scrappy as both boxers tired after a tough bout however on the final bell a jubilant Richardson was award the place in the semifinals by a unanimous judges score of 5-0. Richardson will now face the Russian Champion on Tuesday.

Her results from previous rounds were:

64kg (F) preliminary Gemma Richardson (ENG) v Szabo Reka (HUN) – won RSC Rd1

64kg Hassan Azim (ENG) v Maksym Molodan (UKR) – won 3:2

Azim’s opponent was an experienced Ukrainian southpaw who presented a tough challenge to the young English Champion. That said, Azim clearly won the first round using slick footwork and clever combination punching. Azim consistently moved his opponent on to his powerful rear right hands using lead hand left hooks. The Ukrainian responded in the second round and now Azim had a real battle on his hands. The advantage swung both ways in the second however the third belonged to the Ukrainian who dug in and forced the pace to the final bell. A jubilant Azim had done enough in the early exchanges, battled to the final bell and was rewarded with the place amongst the medals by a split 3-2 decision on the scorecards. He will now face Denmark on Tuesday in the semifinals.

His results from previous rounds were:

64kg Nenad Jovanovic (SRB) v Hassan Azim (ENG) – won 5:0

64kg Roman Kudriavec (LTU) v Hassan Azim (ENG) – won 5:0

75kg Rafayel Hovhannisyan (ARM) v Conner Tudsbury (ENG) – won 5:0

The explosive middleweight from England entered the ring with a look of steeled determination and started the round like he meant business. Tudsbury  snapped out his powerful lead hand jab and consistently rocked his opponents head back to take the first round comprehensively. Naturally, the talented Armenian had to respond and the second was closer. Tudsbury’s work was however definitely the cleaner and again he scored well with his lead hand. Into the third and the Englishman was now back on track with powerful combinations switched from head to body to dominate the last. Tudsbury’s standout combination, left/right/left hook rocked the Armenian right on the bell and rounded off a fine performance from this skilled boxer England The judges returned a 5-0 unanimous decision in Tudsbury’s favour. Tudsbury now moves into the medal stages on Tuesday and will face another popular Italian favourite.

His results from prevous rounds were:

75kg Aleksandrs Kravcuks (LAT) v Conner Tudsbury (ENG) – won RSC Rd3

75kg Raphael Monny (FRA) v Conner Tudsbury (ENG) – won 5:0

52kg Hope Price (ENG) v Kevin Godla (CZE) – won RSC Rd2

The Czech was a tall, awkward opponent, who looked to push Price back in the early exchanges. The English boxer, however, was more than a match for him and responded with Southpaw three punch combinations to consistently rock the Czechs head back. Hope was relishing this European stage and completely took control in the second round as his powerful straight backhands thudded in on the Czech. The referee gave the Czech a count following another powerful attack from Price and when two more counts followed decided that was enough for Price’s opponent to take and stopped the bout in the second round. This was a powerful statement by Price who is now amongst the medals in the Semifinals on Tuesday. He will face the Frenchman for a place in the final.

His results from previous rounds were:

52kg Gabriel Schiopu (ROM) v Hope Price (ENG) – won 4:0

52kg QF Hope Price (ENG) v Kevin Godla (CZE) – won RSC Rd2

81kg Karol Itauma (ENG) v Edward Barrett (IRL) – won 5:0

This was a battle between two Southpaws and was a thriller from the first bell. Karol revelling on the major international stage boxed superbly from start to finish. His intelligent punching combinations and clever footwork enabled him to deliver powerful shots which consistently rocked his Irish opponent back. The stand out combination for Itauma was his lead hand double jab/backhand which scored well throughout the bout. After taking the first, Itauma stepped it up now in the second as he found his range and forced the Irishman into two standing eight counts. A crashing lead hand right hook was the pick of the shots which sent his opponent flying to the canvass. The third round was all about damage limitation for the Irishman who moved well to keep away from the dangerous English Champion and see out the bout. A fine 5-0 unanimous decision was Itauma’s reward and along with it, a place in the semifinals where he will face the Georgian boxer on Tuesday.

His results from previous rounds were:

81kg Karol Itauma (ENG) v Edward Barrett (IRL) – won 5:0

81kg Karol Itauma (ENG) v Gor Nersesyan (ARM) – won 3:2

To see full results:

Day one session 1 click here

Day one session 2 click here

Day two session 1 click here

Day two session 2 click here

Day three session 1click here

Day three session 2 click here

Day four session 1 click here 

Day four session 2 click here