Dryden and Lynch progress to next round on mixed opening day at 2023 European Games for Team GB’s boxers
ENGLAND’S Jack Dryden and Scotland’s Reese Lynch both earned victories on the opening day of boxing for Team GB at the 2023 European Games at the Nowy Targ Arena in Poland
There was some disappointment however as lightweight Shona Whitwell suffered defeat.
Dryden secured Great Britain’s first win in the ring when he beat France’s Riad Labidi via unanimous points decision.
The North-East boxer overcame a points deduction in the second round to seal his place in the last 16 where he will face Denmark’s Frederik Jensen on Tuesday.
Dryden said: “I’ve brushed the cobwebs off and it’s good to get the first one out of the way.
“I enjoyed it in there and being out on the big stage. I felt good. I thought I might be nervous but, in the end, I was relaxed.
“Next time I just need to maintain my sharpness. I felt a bit sluggish, but I think that can be put down to ring rust and the travelling and waiting to get going.”
As the only member of the squad to represent Scotland, Reese Lynch followed in Dryden’s footsteps by also reaching the last 16 with a unanimous victory, with his coming against Marcis Grundulis of Latvia.
The reigning Commonwealth Games champion dominated the bout throughout to set up a clash on Sunday with Bulgaria’s Radoslav Rosenov.
Lynch said: “It was a good performance. After the first two rounds I knew I was winning so in the last one I just made sure I didn’t get hit and tried to conserve some energy.
“It’s brilliant to represent Scotland and it’s a shame Sam (Hickey) isn’t here because of the change in weights but it’s a huge achievement for myself to just get here and represent Great Britain and my country and keeping Scotland on the map.
“Rosenov is a good boy. There is plenty of scalps to claim and his scalp will be coming home with me.”
England’s Shona Whitwell was the first to represent Team GB at this year’s European Games when she took to the ring in the day’s afternoon session, however, the lightweight was beaten unanimously by Kosovo’s 2022 World bronze medallist Donjeta Sadiku.
Three boxers will be in European Games action tomorrow (Saturday 24th June).
Up first and boxing Serbia’s Andela Brankovic at 13:00pm UK time is featherweight Elise Glynn.
She will soon be followed into the ring by Wales’ Taylor Bevan who will take on Mathieu-Albert Bauderlique of France at 13:30pm.
Concluding day two’s action will be heavyweight Lewis Williams when he goes up against Kosovo’s Taulant Jakupi.