Successful day four in Busto Arsizio sees MacDonald, Reid and Ngamba move one step closer to Paris 2024
A SUCCESSFUL day four of the Boxing Road to Paris Olympic qualifying event saw Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald and Chantelle Reid as well as GB Boxing sparring partner, Cindy Ngamba, all move one step closer to securing their place at Paris 2024 following victories.
Boxing in the evening session, MacDonald won for the second time in Busto Arsizio as he stopped Trinidad and Tobago’s Al Jaleel Ortega Kohu in the third round in what was a confident display from the North East boxer.
His victory earlier in the week came against Istvan Szaka of Hungary.
He will next box on Sunday against Rogen Ladon of the Phillipines at 13:30pm in the featherweight last 16.
MacDonald said: “My last performance was rusty, and I was critical of myself, but I’ve had a few days to reflect and I think I’m starting to see the best version of me in there now.
“I go again Sunday; we call it finals weekend because that’s where it all happens and I’m going to be doing my very best to do what I just missed out on (qualification) at the European Games last year.
“Whilst I’m happy with tonight, the main goal is Monday and getting to the Olympics and I’ve got two fights now until I can book my ticket to Paris.
“There’s lots of tough competitors but I believe I’m right amongst them and I’m going to do it this time around.”
Earlier on day four, GB Boxing sparring partner Cindy Ngamba got the day off to a flying start as she put in a high quality performance to beat USA’s Naomi Graham unanimously.
Representing the refugee team, she will now face Seong Suyeon of Korea on Saturday at 13:30pm in the last 16 of the middleweight contest.
Ngamba said: “I’m over the moon to get the first one out of the way but we’re not finished yet, we have to keep on working.
“Naomi’s been around for many years. I knew she’d have fast hands and be very tricky and slick, so I just had to listen to my corner but also use my strength and try and avoid making it hard for myself.
“For next time, I’ll prepare in the same way. I got a bit involved in the first round and kept getting caught with the same shot, but I just had to compose myself again and remember this what we train with our coaches so I was able to adapt and do what I had to do to win.
“I need to stay calm and be patient because that’s where the best movement comes from.”
Fellow middleweight Chantelle Reid then followed in similar fashion, but on this occasion, Reid forced the referee to bring an end to her bout against Trinidad’s Eyed Angel George inside the second round following two standing counts.
She will now face Brazil’s Viviane Pereira in the last 16 on Saturday at 13:30pm.
Reid said: “It went well. I’m really happy to get the second-round stoppage and get the first one out the way and I’m now ready for the second one.
“I was feeling a bit nervous beforehand but I’ve got the win now so my confidence will only grow. I’ve got a feel of the ring and the arena itself so I’m just excited now.”
Day five of competition in Busto Arsizio will see three members of the GB Boxing squad compete.
Featherweight Elise Glynn will make her first appearance in Italy when she takes on Latvia’s Jekaterina Sorokina at 11:30am.
After earning victory in his opening bout, Patris Mughalzai will return to the ring at 19:15pm, this time against Iran’s Ali Habibinezhad.
Concluding the day’s action is heavyweight, Patrick Brown. He goes up against North Macedonia’s Boban Ilioski at 22:00pm.