Boxing

National Amateur Championships: Forces boxers deliver mixed results at pre-quarterfinals

Inter Services champions from the UK Armed Forces have taken on the pre-quarterfinal stage at the National Amateur Championships in Banbury.

Royal Navy pair Dominik Zieba and William Winwood impressed in victory to book their place in the next round, while the RAF's Amelia Kennedy was a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing Air Force day.

Four fighters, who were winners on the night at this year's Inter Services, saw their tournament progress halted in defeat.

For Zieba, a tough test at the under-95kg weight category saw Emmanuel Nwokeji from Small Heath across the ring from him, but the Royal Marine put in a professional performance to win 4-1.

Winwood was a newcomer to the Inter Services this year, but he continued to catch the eye with a win over Leicester Lightning's Harvey Maher by referee's stoppage in the under-70kg category.

Amelia Kennedy was a spectator for the RAF's historic Inter Services win last month, but she's recently won silver at the Golden Girl tournament in Sweden and kept her medal hopes alive by stopping Phoebe Butler from Derby City in the under-54kg category.

Those three will join the already-qualified Cameron Lewis (RAF), Jack Lorja (British Army), Jennifer Sabine (RAF), Frankie Lyall (RAF), and Terri Stuart (British Army) in the quarter-finals. Sophie Colbourn (Royal Navy) will receive a bye and head straight into the semifinals.

Disappointing defeats

Four Forces competitors who had hoped to be involved crashed out at the pre-quarterfinals. RAF star Kymani Coleman was one of the Forces boxers to watch after the Inter Services, but his momentum stalled with a 3-2 loss to Thurrock's Jamar Reid in the under-62.5kg division.

Jaydon Johnson also lost 3-2 to Inner City's Hugo Searle in the under-60kg category, while Blaine Lambert was on the losing end against Alishan Anwar, also of Inner City, in the under-65kg category.

Connor Fanning was the only Royal Navy star to suffer defeat against Oliver Male from Bridlington in the under 75kg category.
The quarterfinals and semifinals are set to take place in Rotherham this weekend.

Elsewhere, it was victory for the Army's Joe Wright in the Welsh National Championships quarterfinals. He beat Jamie Williams of Llandudno ABC by split decision in the 65kg category.