Main Content

27/10/2007

Day Four at the XIV AIBA World Championships

54kg Bantamweight Joe Murray (ENG) bt Carlos Cuadras Quiroa (MEX) 28:19

Twenty year old Mosside ABC Bantam Joe Murray recorded his second win of the 14th AIBA World Boxing Championships in Chicago this morning.

Murray's fleet footwork and precision punching overcame Mexico's Carlos Cuadras Quiroa by a score of 28 - 19.

Smooth movement and fast hands eventually prevailed for Murray against a highly rated, much touted opponent. Though for two rounds it looked difficult for Murray, as he struggled to get full value for his quick counters against the ever on coming Mexican.

Round 1 was scored 3 - 3. Round 2 saw the scores at 9 - 9 Murray pulled ahead to 15 - 4 in round 3, running out a clear and deserved winner at 28 - 19. An entertaining contest and a performance for Murray and British amateur boxing to be proud of.

Joe Murray " I'm 8 minutes away from qualifying for the Olympics, that is all that I'm thinking of right now"

Terry Edwards. Great Britain Head Coach " Joe had to work extra hard, he had to go into overdrive as it took two rounds for the judges to fully kick in on Joe's scoring shots. He stayed focussed and did not let the scoring distract him. He stuck to the game plan and was rewarded for his self belief, concentration and determination. "

54kg Bantamweight Chris Jenkins (WAL) lost to Wanniarachchi Manju (SRI) 14:32

Chris Jenkins (Cwmgors ABC) who has recently turned 19 years of age disappointed against stocky Sri Lankan Manju. Chris was 5:10 down in the first, 8:18 in the second, 11:27 in the third losing 14:32 overall. Manju was always sharper to the punch and had the bout in control from start to finish. Jenkins tried but never looked like troubling the Sri Lankan.

Head Welsh Coach Tony Williams said "Disappointed, particularly as Chris had boxed so well in Canada, he'll mature".

64kg Bradley Saunders (ENG) bt Gumersindo Carrasco Perrera (ARG) RSCO3 27:7

64kg, 20yr old, South Durham ABC, light welterweight Bradley Saunders boxed with skill, determination and a frenetic work rate to completely dominate his Argentinean opponent, Gumersindo Carrasco Herrera, winning via the outscored rule, 27 - 7, with 14 sec still remaining of round 3. This sets up a clash with, super fast American, Javier Molina, on Tuesday evening, 30th October, in front of a very partisan Chicago crowd.

Saunders boxed just in distance putting tremendous pressure on his opponent, the Argentine could not keep Saunders at bay as Saunders continually beat him to the punch and harried him around the ring.

A 7 - 4 1st round lead developed into 18 - 7 by the end of the 2nd round and inevitably lead to the 27 - 7 outscored stoppage in round 3.

Non-stop pressure applied by the Durham Dynamo caused Herrera to be so frustrated that when the ref separated the two boxers and got distracted by a ringside official, the Argentine kneed Bradley in the groin! A disqualification did not ensue, merely a 2 point penalty.

Following the raising of Brad's hand, at the end of the bout, when the boxers crossed to go to shake hands with their respective opponent's corner men, Herrera spat at Saunders. Brad replied by blowing him a kiss.

Brad Saunders "I'd rather box him than try to pronounce his name"

"I feel I get better the longer I'm in a competition. I'll be better still when I box the American on Tuesday"

Terry Edwards, Great Britain Head Coach "Absolutely brilliant, a real top class performance. You just don't beat Argentineans in that style in the second series of top international tournaments."

91kg Stephen Simmons (SCO) bt Ousmane Diatta (SEN) RSC1

Pumped up Scot Steve Simmons (Leith Vic AAC) came out of his corner throwing hard straight scoring punches at a capable looking Senegalese opponent. An early 6:0 lead saw Diatta threaten to throw something big. Simmons got their first with a perfect short left hook which Joe Frazier would have been proud to own. The Senegalese man was left stretched on his back like a still from an American B movie. Somehow the game Diatta got to his feet at 8 but was in no condition to carry on. The referee waived the contest off just under a minute of the first round.

On going back to the corner Simmons genuinely enquired of coach Terry Edwards, "if that was ok?" Sharp Londoner Edwards replied "What took you so long?".

A happy corner wandered off to the dressing room where they were besieged by American press who were delighted with the spectacular one punch knock-out.

Friday 26th October

54kg Joe Murray (ENG) bt Carlos Cuadras Quiroa (MEX) 28:19

54kg Chris Jenkins (WAL) lost to Wanniarachchi Manju (SRI) 14:32

64kg Bradley Saunders (ENG) bt Gumersindo Carrasco Perrera (ARG) RSCO3 27:7

91kg Stephen Simmons (SCO) bt Ousmane Diatta (SEN) RSC1

Saturday 27th October

51kg Khalid Yafai (ENG) v Violito Payla (PHI)

+91kg David Price (ENG) v Mohamed Samoudi (FRA)

Sunday 28th October

48kg Mo Nasir (WAL) v Harry Tanamor (PHI)

48kg Darran Langley (ENG) v Zviad Khaduri (GEO)

60kg Frankie Gavin (ENG) v Merey Akshalov (KAZ)