Savannah Marshall defeated her GB Boxing squad mate, Natasha Gale, to win the GB Boxing Championship and steal a march on her middleweight rival in the battle to be selected for next year’s Olympic qualification events.
The 2012 World Champion and 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist showed her experience as she overcame an explosive start from Gale to secure a unanimous points victory on all of the judges’ scorecards.
Marshall said: “Having a rival in the GB Boxing squad has definitely spurred me on to train and work harder. I did feel quite nervous before the bout as Natasha is a tough opponent, so it was a relief to secure the win.”
Elsewhere the action showcased the strength in depth in the GB Boxing squad as boxers in the GB vest recorded victories in eight of the 10 bouts with wins for Luke McCormack, Peter McGrail, Jack Bateson, Troy Williamson, Tom Whitaker Hart and Sandy Ryan and Lisa Whiteside in the women’s competition.
The only defeats for boxers representing GB came at light welterweight where Sam Maxell lost to Alfie Price and at welterweight, where Cyrus Pattinson was awarded victory on the judges’ scorecards after his bout with Connor Loftus was stopped when the latter man sustained a cut over his eye due to a clash of heads of what was a tremendous bout. Price and Pattinson are both part of GB Boxing’s Podium Potential squad.
GB Boxing’s Performance Director, Rob McCracken said: “It was a very good evening of boxing with some superb contests, particularly the bout between Loftus and Pattinson. It was a sign of the depth of talent we have in this country and augurs well for the on-going success of boxing in Great Britain.”
The results were:
Luke McCormack (GB), Birtley ABC, defeated Jordan Flynn (ENG), Berinsfield
Sandy Ryan (GB), One Nation ABC, defeated Charlene Jones (WAL), Merlin’s Bridge
Alfie Price (ENG), Hoddesdon, defeated Sam Maxwell (GB), Salisbury ABC
Lisa Whiteside (GB), JR Gym, defeated Kim Shannon (ENG), 2nd City
Troy Williamson (GB), Darlington ABC, defeated Jordan Reynolds (ENG), Hoddesdon
Savannah Marshall (GB), Hartlepool Headland ABC, defeated Natasha Gale (ENG), Jubilee ABC
Jack Bateson (GB) defeated Ionita Alexandru ( RUM) (international exhibition)
Thomas Whittaker-Hart (GB), Rotunda, defeated Bryce Goodridge (ENG), Basingstoke
Peter McGrail (GB), Everton Red Triangle, defeated Marcel Braithwaite (ENG), Golden Gloves
Cyrus Pattinson (ENG), Birtley ABC defeated Connor Loftus (GB), Burmantofts ABC
