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GB boxers outstanding in Finland
GB boxers outstanding in Finland
Page last updated at 11:25AM UTC, Tuesday, 29 November 2011
The spotlight was firmly on GB Boxing at the Tammer tournament in Tampere, Finland, this weekend, as a mixed team boxed their way to four gold medals, a silver and two bronze.

The team's feats at the annual competition saw them pick up additional prizes for outstanding performances; Leeds boxer Qais Ashfaq won Boxer of the Tournament, Welshman Joe Cordina took the Best Technical Boxer trophy, and Anthony Fowler won the vote of the press, who named him their Best Boxer.

 

Gold medals went to Joe Cordina, Anthony Fowler,  Qais Ashfaq and Warren Baister, while Amanda Coulson won a silver and Fraser Clarke and Sam McNess were awarded bronze.

Bout reports (winners in bold)


Quarter finals


69kg Anthony Fowler (ENG) v Youness Gharroumi (MAR) RSC3


A strong first round saw Anthony give his opponent an eight-count, going into the second round four points up (7:3). The Moroccan landed some good shots, sneaking them in when he could, but a strong start in the third by Anthony resulted in another eight-count for Gharroumi, and the referee stopped the contest.


91kg Warren Baister (ENG) v Gunnar Kolbein Kristinsson (ISL) RSC1


Kristinsson lasted 40 seconds at the hands of Sunderland heavyweight Baister, who unleashed a heavy handed combination that sent his opponent crashing to the canvass.


60kg Joe Cordina (WAL) v Henrik Enroth (FIN) 15:7


Joe outclassed Enroth with a combination of fast footwork and hands. Going into the second round with a single point lead (5:4), Joe upped his game to leave the Finnish boxer chasing him around the ring. Joe won the second round 6:1, and a mix of combinations and good footwork saw the Welshman took the third round 4:2.


64kg Sam McNess (ENG) v Riku Hokkanen (FIN) 16:9


Riku Hokkanen's slow footwork was no match for Sam. Controlling the bout from the centre of the ring whilst staying calm and composed, Sam's skills could not be contended with. Going into the final round with a lead of 11 points to 5, Sam continued to move well and the final bell saw him take a 16:9 victory.


56kg Qais Ashfaq (ENG) v Wael Al-Khaghani (FIN) 17:5


Qais secured a 6:1 lead in a busy first round, with powerful shots and lots of movement. A good second for the Yorkshire man ended 12:3, and in the final round a composed Qais schooled his opponent, preventing Al-Khaghani's wide, swinging shots from scoring.


81kg Lawrence Osueke (ENG) v Eemeli Katajisto (FIN) 7:5


Lawrence made his international debut as a GB Development boxer. A cagey first round saw both Lawrence and the experienced Katajisto score a single point each, the Newcastle boxer using single shots to try and edge ahead. The Finnish boxer's movement saw him win the second 4:2, and in the final round, Lawrence used combinations to chip away at Katajisto's lead, but two points ahead, it was Katajisto who moved into the semis.


Semi finals

  

91kg+ Fraser Clarke (ENG) v Kaspar Vaha (EST) 22:13


After a tough opening round that saw Frazer on the end of some strong blows, he threw some good straight shots and continued to move well to his right. The second round saw the Estonian increase his three point lead, countering Frazer's attacks. Despite landing some good shots, Frazer was seven points down going into the final round. The English boxer upped his tempo and landed some heavy handed blows, but it was too late on in the contest and Estonia went on to win the bout 22:13.


56kg Qais Ashfaq (ENG) v Joe Ham (SCO) 12:10


After losing to Joe Ham earlier this year, Qais had a point to prove in his semi final. The English boxer looked sharp as he gained a 3:1 lead after the first round. The second round was scrappy, with the Scottish boxer throwing Qais around the ring. Qais kept his composure, and the second round ended with each boxer scoring 5 points. The third saw Qais constantly moving to avoid the Scottish boxer's attacks. With four points apiece in the third, Qais won the bout 12:10.


91kg Warren Baister (ENG) v Rain Karlson (EST) 14:11


Warren's fast hands were too much for the Estonian in the first round, taking the Sunderland boxer into the second round with a two point lead. The second round was neck and neck, with each boxer scoring four points. Warren used fast hands and good movement around the ring to outbox his opponent in the final round, and go on to win the bout 14:11.


64kg Sam McNess (ENG) v Artem Sofin (RUS) 21:22.


Artem got off to a fast start in the first round to edge ahead by a point, but McNess remained calm under pressure in the second round to equalize, raising his game in the final round. Sofin piled on the pressure, refusing to allow Sam to pull back the first round's point deficit, and the Russian was awarded the decision.


69kg Anthony Fowler (ENG) v Dmitri Kormilin (EST) 15:10


Anthony used his long reach to his advantage, winning the first round 6:3. With long straight shots, Fowler boxed well in the second round to gain a five point advantage going into the third. The Estonian made a good comeback in the final round to draw scores level at 4:4, but it was too late, and Anthony took the bout.

 

Finals

 

91kg Warren Baister (ENG) v Szabolics Deel (HUN) RET3


Warren had a chance to show off his skills with a mixture of fast hands and fast feet, moving away from the Hungarian's swinging shots to win the first round 4:2. Warren's fitness shone through in the second round, as he navigated his way gracefully around the ring. Going into the third round seven points up, Warren stayed on form, landing an body shot that gave the Hungarian an eight count. With the Hungarian suffering, his coaches threw in the towel.


56kg Qais Ashfaq (ENG) v Anthony Bret (FRA) 11:7.


A tremendous first senior international tournament for Qais resulted in a gold medal. After a neck and neck first round, with both boxers scoring two points, Qais used nifty footwork and fast combinations in the second round to gain a two point advantage going into the final round. Ducking the French boxer's swinging shots, and catching him as he fell in with a straight shot and backhand combination, Qais soared his way through the final round to win the bout comfortably.


60kg Joe Cordina (WAL) v Ildar Vaganov (RUS) 14:13


Joe moved well around the ring, ducking under the Russian's wide swinging shots. The first round ended with 5:3 in favour of Joe. In the second round, Joe used fast combinations of two and three shots to get the better of Ildar, winning the round 5:4. Three points down, the Russian came back with big shots in the final round, but Joe's early lead meant that the Russian had left it too late.


69kg Anthony Fowler (ENG) v Henri Kekalainen (FIN) 16:8


Anthony had it tough in his final against a Finnish boxer with a large supporting crowd. Sharp shots opened up a 4:2 lead for Anthony going into the second, and in round two the Liverpudlian threw fast combinations of four and five shots through the gaps in Kekalainen's guard. The Finnish boxer came at Fowler in the final round, wanting to stand and exchange shots and brawl; but Fowler stuck to his boxing and didn't get involved, taking the round 7:3, with an overall winning score of 16:8.


60kg Amanda Coulson (ENG) v Mira Potkonen (FIN) 22:11


The Finnish boxer pushed her way to the centre of the ring, bullying Amanda into the ropes and corners. Using good footwork, Amanda dodged her way out of danger, but round one ended with Mira a point ahead. In the second and third rounds, Amanda used her jab to try to keep the Finnish opponent at long range; but Mira kept coming in close. Despite landing some sharp shots, Amanda went into the final round with a fuve point deficit. In the final round, both boxers upped their game, with Amanda moving well around the ring; but despite battling to the final bell, it was the Finnish boxer who took home the gold.

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