75kg John Docherty (SCO) V Martin Larsen (NOR) (Quarter Final)
Round 1 – With at least a Bronze medal at stake, this bout was full of ups and downs. John started the better landing with his trademark long right lead followed by some telling rear hands but the Norwegian was not ready to succumb to Johns efforts. Larsen launched attack after attack of bent arm punches, however, John was landing the cleaner punches landing and looked to have secured the first round.
Round 2 – The Norwegian came out full of action forcing John into defensive mode. John kept prodding his long right jab out to try and keep the Norwegian at bay. John’s gumshield fell out twice which resulted in the Referee giving John a public warning which made it very difficult for John to to claw back this round. The action continued and it was the Norwegian who started to gain the upper hand towards the end of the round.
Round 3 – John produced a great start to the round landing a several rear hands to the head but still Larsen came forward closing down John and working to head and body with bent arm punches. It was a great effort from John but not enough to take the win. It must be said that this should be considered a good tournament for John having secured two wins prior to the reaching the Quarter final stages.
Winner – Martin Larsen (NOR)
91kg Connal McDonald (SCO) V Toni Filipi (CRO) – Quarter Final
Round 1 – Connal got off to a flyer landing well timed lead hands to the head of the Croat (a 2014 World Youth Championship Silver medal winner), looking fast and moving fluently. Unfazed by the home crowd, Connal continued to land the better of the shots throughout the first round switching from head to body with some heavy blows. Although Filipi was never far away with his own shots it looked like Connal was comfortably in control this round.
Round 2 – Again, Connal used his fast left jab to keep the Croat at bay and effectively followed up with some well-timed uppercuts when he was closed down. It was a good contest for the crowd as both Boxers had success in spells but, again, it was Connal that looked to have the upper hand in round two.
Round 3 – Both Boxers were starting to feel the pace and were getting caught by each other’s shots. Connal had put in a lot of work in the first two rounds it was inevitable that the pace would drop and perhaps the Croatian just shaded this round.
When the Referee called the boxers together the Team Scotland corner was confident it would be the Scotsman’s hand being raised.However, Filipi was declared the winner by split decision.
It was an absolutely fantastic effort from Connal who is a genuine 91kg contender and will certainly have taken something from this outing against the World Silver Medallist
60kg Lewis Hay V Mustava Arsen Romania – Quarter Final
Round 1 – Lewis was coming off the back of two great wins against top class opponents and his confidence was high going into this contest. the Romanian, a 2014 Youth Olympic participant, is a World Class operator so this was going to be a real challenge for Lewis.
Lewis started extremely well in landing some lead hand jabs follow up by nice rear hand punches behind the defence of Arsen.
The Romanian was constantly trying to close Lewis down but the quick footwork that Lewis had used throughout this Tournament worked well for most of the bout, getting him out of reach and back in the scoring range when needed. However, it looked like Arsen, who had adopted a high tight guard and constant come forward style, shaded the first round as he worked well inside when in range.
Round 2 – A better start from Lewis and more determination saw a number of quality shots delivered to the body and head of the Romania, who constantly pushed forward at every opportunity and closed Lewis down at stages. There was nothing in this round between the two boxers.
Round 3 – Lewis knew it would have to be a big round if he were to take anything from this contest. Arsen clearly thought the same and it was the Romanian – by far the more experienced of the two – who stepped the pace up a notch to win the final round. It must be said that there was not a massive gulf between the two boxers and Lewis should take a great deal of encouragement from it, knowing he has produced some of the best performances of his career so far in this extremely difficult tournament.
Overall, Team Scotland boxers gave a very positive account of themselves and should be happy with the progression of three boxers to the quarter finals stages and most, if not all, produced what can be considered personal best performances.
