TWO of Great Britain’s boxers suffered disappointment on day two of action at Paris 2024 as both welterweight Rosie Eccles and heavyweight Pat Brown were beaten via split decisions.
As a result, they join teammate Charley Davison who suffered similar heartbreak yesterday, in exiting the contest in their opening bouts.
Eccles was the first of the pair to box on day two of Paris and, like her teammate Charley Davison yesterday, was found to be on the wrong end of a devastating split decision.
After winning the opening round 3:2 of her clash with Poland’s Aneta Rygielska, the scoring was then reversed after round two meaning it all came down to a fiercely contested third round.
Despite the best efforts of Eccles who performed strongly in the final three minutes of her opening bout, it was Rygielska who came out in favour with the judges – overcoming a one-point deduction for repeated holding.
The decision, which was greeted with loud boos in the arena and astonishment in the TV and radio commentary boxes, hinged on two judges who scored the fight 28-28 and, when asked to vote for a winner, opted for Rygielska.
It led to widespread anger and puzzlement as Eccles had been by far the more aggressive of the two boxers, while her opponent had been repeatedly warned by the referee for a reluctance to engage and was eventually docked a point for persistent infringements.
An understandably devastated, Eccles handled her disappointment with grace and professionalism and speaking to the media immediately after the contest.
She said: “In my mind I won that fight. I don’t know what to say other than I’m grateful for everyone that helped me get here. I appreciate you all and I’m sorry I couldn’t get over the line.
“I felt beyond ready for this. All the anticipation was there, I knew she was a tricky opponent, but I felt I did the job. I stayed disciplined and kept to my game, and I thought I’d done enough.
“I’ve devoted my whole life for an Olympic medal and to share it with everyone that’s helped me on my journey but unfortunately for me, and Charley yesterday, it wasn’t to be.”
Then in the day’s final session, Pat Brown was up against Brazil’s two-time Olympian and 2021 world silver medallist, Keno Machado.
The Mancunian boxer unfortunately found himself dropping the opening two rounds and despite a gutsy and strong finish to the bout it was not enough to get the better of Machado, who won the contest via a 4-1 split.
Brown said: “It didn’t go my way. He’s a good operator, very experienced and I think that could have been the difference. I caught him a bit in the last round but it’s still not good enough.
“It’s my first proper, major tournament. It had the atmosphere of a massive event, and I didn’t crumble under it, I loved every second.
“I’ve thought about my cousin, Ross, during this whole process and experience. I qualified for Paris 2024 at the start of March and at the end of that same month he sadly passed away, so I had the biggest high of my life followed by the lowest low and for sure, it had an impact on me, but I feel it’s only made me stronger as a person.”
Just one boxer from Great Britain is in action tomorrow (Monday 29th July) as Delicious Orie takes his first steps into the ring at 20:36pm UK time.
The super-heavyweight will face Armenia’s Davit Chaloyan, who he beat on his way to being crowned 2023 European Games champion in Krakow.
If you want to follow all the action from Paris this summer, click here for all the information you need.
