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17/06/2008
VI European Union Elite Championships Poland
Day 1
World Champion Frankie Gavin returned to competition after a shoulder injury which forced him to withdraw from the Gee Bee Tournament in Helsinki. He stepped up against reigning European Champion Boris Georgiev from Bulgaria, who has been undefeated for the past two years. After a cat and mouse first round, Frankie - with his pace and speed - finished at 4 : 1. The GB boxer maintained the pace in the second round and kept Georgiev on his back foot to increase his lead to 5 : 1. At the half way stage Frankie seemed to be in full control of the bout to go further ahead, leading 7 : 3 at the end of the third round. Georgiev tried to force it in the final round trying to go forward which played in to Frankie's game plan, and he increased his score to an impressive 13 : 5 victory. Frankie faces tall, rangy southpaw Viaceslaw Korber from Germany in the next round.
Billy Joe Saunders, youngest member of the GB Olympic Team, was next up against Tamas Sipos from Hungary. Billy Joe took charge from the opening bell, forcing the Hungarian to take a count from a right hook to the body and a left cross to the head. The Hungarian tried to move away but Billy cut the space and a one-two to the head forced the referee to take another count. The Hungarian coach retired the boxer, saving him from further punishment. In the next round Billy Joe faces Mariano Hilario from Spain.
Martin Ward at 57kg from Birtley ABC boxed Kerem Gurgen from Turkey. Martin started well, forcing the Turk on to the back foot in the first round and taking a points lead of 4 : 2. Martin waited a bit too long in the second round and allowed the strong Turk to come back finishing at the half way stage level. Martin held his own in the third round finishing up all square at 9 : 9. In the final round Martin allowed the Turk to take the initiative and was narrowly beaten 14 : 12. He gained invaluable insights and experience from this bout which will stand him in good stead for the future.
More results to follow.
The team:
51kg Khalid Yafai
57kg Martin Ward
60kg Tom Stalker
64kg Frankie Gavin
69kg Billy Joe Saunders
75kg James DeGale
81kg Tony Jeffries
91kg Warren Baister
91kg Steven Simmons
91kg+ David Price
Olympic boxer Bradley Saunders joins the team for training but will not box in the tournament.