Four Team GB boxers secure medals on memorable day at 2023 European Games which sees Davison and Eccles secure Olympic status with MacDonald and Orie one bout from joining them

FOUR Team GB boxers secured medals on a remarkable day six at the 2023 European Games which saw both Charley Davison and Rosie Eccles secure both their spot at Tokyo 2024 and a place in the semi-finals.

Victories for Kiaran MacDonald and Delicious Orie also saw them guarantee a place on the podium, meaning they are one bout away from joining their teammates at the Games next year.

Davison became a two-time Olympian in Nowy Targ, Poland this afternoon when she defeated Sweden’s Zehra Milli.

The bantamweight demonstrated her class throughout the three rounds to be declared winner unanimously to qualify for her second Olympic Games, having reached the quarter-final stage at Tokyo 2020.

The victory means she will leave the `European Games with at least a bronze medal but can improve that, should she beat Bulgaria’s Stanmira Petrova on Friday.

Davison said: “Honestly, I can’t believe it. It’s going to take time to sync in. It means so much more to me. I feel more experienced and believe that I can go to the top.

“It’s my dream to become Olympic champion. I went to Tokyo with little experience, but I’ve banked a lot more since so it’s different now.

“A big thank you to all of my supporters, everyone on social media, my children, my partner, my family, all of them it means the world to know they are backing me.”

Soon after, Wales’ Eccles made her Olympic dream a reality after she put in a determined display against Ireland’s World, European and Commonwealth champion, Amy Broadhurst, to be crowned victory via a 3:2 split.

Paris qualification comes just over three years since she suffered major heartache following defeat at the Tokyo qualifying event in 2020.

With a medal also secured, the welterweight will now focus on reaching the final, with Turkey’s World champion Busenaz Surmeneli standing in her way.

Eccles said: “I’ve got no words! After everything that has happened, I thought this was too good to happen to me.

‘I’ve kept coming back, grinding, and waiting and at times it felt like this was juts impossible!

“Amy is one of the people I admire more than anyone in the boxing world. She’s been through some rough patches like me and it all honestly, I wish that was the final because it seems cruel that one of us has had to miss out.

“Me and Charley have qualified together. We live together, we room together, we’ve cried together and now we win together too!

“Since I was eight, I’ve had a dream and at 16 I began boxing, we’re now a decade down the road and here we are. There are so many people to thank that have played their part along the way; my local club, Welsh Boxing, GB Boxing with all of the coaches and the support staff – I’m so grateful.”

Flyweight MacDonald rounded off a spectacular afternoon of boxing for Great Britain as he moved one step closer to joining him teammates at Paris 2024.

The North-East boxer comfortably outboxed Serbia’s Omer Ametovic unanimously to guarantee a medal and set up a semi-final clash with Bilal Benamma of France, who won gold at last year’s European Championships.

MacDonald said: “It felt good. To be honest, I didn’t really get out of first gear. I did what I needed to do and I’ve been able to preserve my energy.

“He was a bit of a tricky opponent, but I’ve got the job done and it’s another bout under my belt.

“That’s why I’m here (to secure Olympic place). I’ll have a good fight on my hands in the semis against the world silver medallist, but I believe I can beat him. I’ve worked too hard for this spot.”

The final bout of the evening saw super-heavyweight Delicious Orie, in the ring for the third time in Poland.

The 26-year-old put in an accomplished display against a high-level opponent in the form of 2021 world silver medallist, Davit Charloyan of Armenia to earn a unanimous victory.

For a place in the final and place at Paris 2024, he will have to beat Bulgaria’s Yordan Hernandez.

Orie said: “I want to thank everybody who has supported me on my way. It means everything to me.

“I can’t wait to go again; I know I keep saying it but it’s very exciting to see all my hard work in the gym paying off. We’re not quite there yet but it’s just good to see it all coming to fruition.

“I couldn’t have done this without the coaches and staff and GB Boxing as well as my family.

“We’re coming up to the final stages and I respect all of my opponents, I know they’re going to be top level because like me they’ve worked hard to get to the top level. I do what I’m told by the coaches, and it gives me confidence to perform.

“That’s the aim (qualification). I want to fulfil my dream and we’re one step closer.”

There is no boxing action tomorrow with a rest day scheduled. Stay tuned across our social media platforms for details on Friday’s semi-final bouts.