DAY five at Paris 2024 was a memorable one for all concerned with GB Boxing as Lewis Richardson earned an impressive victory on his Olympic debut to reach the quarter-final stages and move to within one win from securing an Olympic medal.
He will be joined at the quarter-final stages by Cindy Ngamba – who trains with GB Boxing but is representing the IOC Refugee team as she does not yet have a British passport – as she too earned victory in her round of 16 clash.
There was some disappointment however as middleweight Chantelle Reid was narrowly beaten via a 3:2 split by Morocco’s Khadija Mardi.
Team GB’s Lewis Richardson was the final member of the boxing to step through the ropes at Paris 2024 and despite results not favouring the team so far, he was able to right that wrong by beating Serbia’s former European champion Vakhid Abbasov via a 3:2 split.
It was a cagey affair between the pair of light-middleweights with very few punches thrown in the opening exchanges with the Serb edging it heading into the second.
Again, the two were closely matched in round two, this time Richardson getting the better of the contest with one eye-catching shot in particular and levelling the scoring heading into a tense final round.
Like the previous rounds, there wasn’t much to separate the two however it was the Brit who continued to be the aggressor for the final three minutes, catching his opponent cleanly on multiple occasions, so much so that come the end of the bout, he saw his hand raised by the referee.
He will now compete on Saturday (3rd August) versus Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash in the light-middleweight quarterfinals.
Richardson said: “There’s no denying the team has lost some very close decisions, and it hasn’t gone our way but tonight, thankfully, I was able to change that and I’m positive that moving forward I can keep that momentum going.
“I’ll be the one to carry the flag and I’m more than capable of doing that. I’m not adding pressure on myself but I’m more than ready to do whatever it takes to become an Olympic medallist.
“I’m fit, I’m strong and more than anything, I’m in a great place mentally. I’ve come through some adversity. It’s been a short cycle, my weight got removed, I’ve had setbacks, but all those experiences have got me this far and I don’t plan on stopping.”
“It’s been an amazing experience so far. It almost feels like a home games in some ways with how Team GB are treating us as well as the support the National Lottery and its players are providing us athletes.”
Cindy Ngamba of the Refugee team stunned the crowd in the North Paris Arena as she defeated Canadian world champion, Tammara Thibeault via a 3:2 split.
The middleweight regularly trains with GB Boxing but is representing the Olympic Refugee team at Paris 2024.
It was a difficult start to the bout for Ngamba who was handed a harsh standing count just second into the contest, a decision which played a part it’s part in her losing the first round 4:1.
It didn’t deter the boxer who is based in Bolton though as she responded with a gutsy display in round two where she caught the Canadian with some strong shots and catching the judges eye to win the round 3:2, meaning she had to overturn two judges’ scorecards heading into the final round.
Ngamba dominated the final three minutes, landing far more than her esteemed opponent and that was deemed enough to earn a memorable and well deserved 3:2 split victory.
She will now box for a medal in Sunday’s (4th August) middleweight quarter-final action where she will face the host nation’s Davina Michel.
Ngamba said: “Me being here means the world to me – I am one of millions of refugees around the world, and I hope to give them motivation.
“For people that are facing so many issues and obstacles, they can believe in themselves and feel like it’s not the end of the world.
“I hope that by them watching me, they can see that anything thrown at you in life, you’re able to overcome it.
“I take each fight as it comes and treat it like it’s my last – I’m going to push even more for that special moment.
“I’m happy that I managed to get the win for both the Refugee Team and for everybody at GB Boxing who has supported me on this journey.”
Elsewhere on day five and first to make their Olympic debut on day five was middleweight Chantelle Reid.
The Derby boxer’s opening bout marked another chapter in her remarkable story which saw her only return to boxing 18 months ago following a six-year absence due to injury.
The 25-year-old started strongly against her opponent, Khadija Mardi, winning the opening round unanimously. Then a swift response from the Moroccan world champion saw the end of round two scored 4:1 in her favour.
It meant that the contest would be decided on what was a fiercely contested final three with the pair trading blows on countless occasions.
However, when the scorecards were read after the final bell it was Mardi who was handed the victory via a narrow 3:2 split.
Reid said: “I felt good. I don’t think I could have done anything more and I feel happy with my performance.
“I feel so blessed to have just qualified and being able to box the best in the world and representing the one of the best teams in the world with all the coaches and support staff around me. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them, it just wasn’t to be on the day.
“I’m an Olympian for the rest of my life and nothing can ever change that and for that I’ll be forever grateful.
“Two years ago, I could never have even envisioned this. I came back last year with the aim of winning the national championships yet alone qualifying for Paris 2024 so I’m proud of myself for putting in the graft to get here.
