Members pick up medals against top European rivals

Repton boxers brought home impressive rewards from the Golden Girl championships in Boras, Sweden, clinching two golds and a silver medal against top European opposition.

Lisa Moore boxed her way to victory in a straight final, while Nicoletta Paksi slammed two stoppage successes for the golden double as a split verdict saw Elena Narozanski take silver.

Moore put the pressure on Irish rival Rivie McCormack, landing solid left-right combinations and follow-up hooks to take control of their Class B 60kg clash.

The Dublin girl put up solid resistance in a hard-fought clash, but the unanimous verdict went to the east London club entry.

Meanwhile, the power-punching of Paksi in her Class C 75kg semi-final rocked rival Stina Arman (Sweden) who took two standing counts before the referee rescued her in the second round.

The final success proved even shorter, taking Paksi less than one minute to stop outclassed Swedish entry Annika Kaikkonen as the Repton girl struck gold.

Narozanski boxed well in the Class B 75kg competition, using a sharp jab and strong straight right combinations in the final against Lena Bertelsen (BK Rollo Denmark).

It was a close fight as Narozanski landed accurate shots, but she was unlucky not to get the decision, given to her opponent by a 2-1 majority as the Repton girl had to settle for silver.

“The girls did us proud and the support and atmosphere between competitors and coaches from all corners of Great Britain was brilliant to witness,” said Repton secretary Kellie Omer.

Repton’s boys are chasing more success at home this weekend as a six-strong team head to Blackpool for the NABGC Championship finals.

Johnny Hanrahan was in winning form in his Class B 57kg clash with west country champion Callum Smith (Trowbridge) in their semi-final at Portsmouth.

The Repton boxer piled on the pressure and landed the more effective shots to make sure of his points victory and a place in the finals.

Other members of the Bethnal Green club looking for titles this weekend are Michael Chalk and Henry Turner.

But Jake Henty was eliminated by Pinewood Star’s impressive Hassan Aziz in a sparkling bout at Portsmouth.

n East London light-welterweight duo Anthony Upton and Ryan Taylor both seek career-best wins on Saturday as they hunt title success 150 miles apart.

Chasing the English title and unbeaten in 11 fights, Upton faces Wiltshire’s tough former ABA title-holder Joe Hughes in Walsall.

The 23-year-old member of the Upton clan – three London-Irish amateur title winners who are now carving out successful pro careers under the guidance of ex-world champion Ricky Hatton – will respect rival Hughes.

The aggressive 25-year-old has suffered just one single-point defeat in 14 fights and won the English title against previously undefeated Anthony Hardy in July.

The Southern Area belt is the title target for Peacock gym-trained Taylor when he challenges unbeaten Devon-born Ben Day on the Goodwin show at York Hall.

Taylor, who is making his third bid for Area title success, is confident he can bounce back from two York Hall setbacks this year and upset Day, now a London gym owner.

“The Area belt means a lot to me. Ben Day has a good record, but I am sure over 10 rounds I will prove superior,” said the 27-year-old Taylor.

Cruiserweight prospect Jose Lopes looks for his fifth straight win when he appears on the Goodwin promotion which also includes the Area heavyweight title duel between Ali Adams and Dominic Akinlade.

Also on the packed Goodwin show are Wadi Camacho, Matt McCarthy, John Garton, Tyler Goodjohn and John O’Donnell.