Day three of 2023 European Games sees Orie and Ngamba reach last 16
TEAM GB’S Delicious Orie as well as Cindy Ngamba, who is representing the Refugee team, both earned wins to reach the last 16 of the 2023 European Games.
It was a tough day for the team in Nowy Targ however, as Kerry Davis, Reese Lynch and Harris Akbar all suffered defeat.
Orie was the last member of the squad to box on day three when he took on Croatia’s Marko Mliun.
Despite suffering a head cut in the first round, the super-heavyweight stuck to his task, earning a 4:0 split victory after the bout was brought to and in round two after his opponent also suffered a cut.
Up next for the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist is Norway’s Omar Shiha.
Orie said: “It was good to get the first one out the way. It was a tricky opponent who is awkward, but I knew what to expect, I’ve boxed him before and I’m ready for the next one.
“I didn’t notice (the cut) until the referee pointed it out but that’s boxing for you. I can’t do much about it, I’ll just get it stitched up and go again.
“It would have been nice to see out all three rounds to get rid of some of that ring rust but I can’t complain. A win is a win and I’m happy.
“It’s an honour to represent Team GB, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of. To be here at the European Games means everything to me. I know the jobs not finished yet but I’m grateful to be in this position.”
GB Boxing training partner Cindy Ngamba got her tournament off to an impressive start by beating Armenia’s reigning European champion Ani Hovsepyan via unanimous points decision.
She will now face Ireland’s Aoife O’Rourke.
Ngamba said: “I want to thank God, my family and the help and support of GB Boxing. Ever since I began training with them, they’ve got something out of me.
“I went to the Worlds last year and it was all new to me, it was a big stage.
Since then, I’ve been to training camps, other tournaments and sparred some of the best there is: Rosie Eccles, Kerry Davis, Lauren Price, and I’ve improved my style, composure and grown physically and mentally strong.
“I was so happy when they raised my hands, I’m hard on myself and thought I’d lost! I hope that myself being out there and representing the refugee community can show that if you work hard, and push yourself you can make anything happen.”
There were also three defeats for British boxers this evening.
Middleweight Kerry Davis found herself on the wrong end of a narrow 3:2 split lost to France’s Davina Michel, Scotland’s Reese Lynch was beaten by Bulgaria’s Radislav Rosenov unanimously whilst Harris Akbar was beaten by a 4:1 split to Magomed Schachidov of Germany.
Five more boxers will represent Team GB tomorrow (Monday 26th June).
In the day’s afternoon session, both bantamweight Charley Davison and flyweight Kiaran MacDonald will box for the first time in Poland when they take on Spain’s Maria Romero and Germany’s Salah Ibrahim at 12:00pm and 13:30pm respectively.
Concluding the daytime action will be Wales’ Taylor Bevan who will step into the ring for the second time following his unanimous round of 32 victory. This time out he will face Kelyn Cassidy of Ireland at 14:00pm.
The evening session will see another boxer compete for the first time. On this occasion it will be Rosie Eccles who will go up against Italian, Assunta Canforna at 18:15pm.
Lewis Williams returns for another bout at heavyweight. He will face Turkey’s Berut Acar at 19:45pm.