Two silver and two bronze for GB Boxing’s men and women at’ World Boxing Cup – China 2026′ in Guiyang City
FOUR members of the GB Boxing squad have returned from the ‘World Boxing Cup: China 2026 – Guiyang City’ with medals as Isaac Okoh (Grays, Essex) and Sacha Hickey (Eltham, South London) won silver and Will Hewitt (Wigan) and Chantelle Reid (Derby) claimed bronze.
Nearly 400 boxers from 50 countries took part in the competition, which featured action at 10 weight classes each for men and women.
The quartet of English medallists were part of a GB Boxing contingent of 11 boxers. All four hope to be selected to boxing for England at the up-and-coming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 23 July – 2 August 2026.
In the heavyweight division (M90kg), Isaac Okoh, delivered one of his best international performances in Brazil when he secured a unanimous 5:0 victory over two-time Olympic medallist and world ranked number two, Loren Alfonso Dominguez of Azerbaijan in his semi-final.
A cut to the head meant Okoh was withdrawn from the final as a precaution, but his victory over one of the best boxers in the world provided a big confidence boost and will see him rise-up the World Boxing rankings, when the next edition is published in July 2026.
Isaac Okoh said: “I am in a good run at the moment and felt I boxed really well. It is probably the biggest win of my career to-date and it does feel like everything is coming together right now.
“When you get to compete at this level you can really gauge your progress. A couple of years ago I boxed a very good Brazillian and he beat me and then earlier this year, I was in with the Spanish Olympic bronze medallist, and though he edged it 3:2, I knew I was getting better. Now it just feels like it is all coming together and I have announced myself at this level.
“I have been active this year and it has helped me to get a lot of good experience and really develop that resilience you need when you’re competing against the best. Next-up it’s the Commonwealth Games, so it’s another chance to build my experience and keep improving.”
In the women’s welterweight competition (W65kg), Sacha Hickey continued her run of good form to win her second World Boxing Cup medal of the year, going one better than the bronze she secured in Brazil in April, by taking silver at the event in China.
Sacha’s run to the final included victories against boxers from Mexico and Poland. Her final against Brazil’s two-time Olympic medallist and one-time IBF world lightweight champion, Beatriz Ferreira, proved a step too far, but winning a second World Boxing Cup medal of the year, is expected to send her into the top eight in the World Boxing rankings.
Sacha Hickey said: “It’s always disappointing to lose any bout but overall, I am happy with my performance in China and the fact I have won two medals so far this year. I have shown that I am amongst the best in the world at my weight and am now looking forward to the Commonwealth Games which is in Great Britain, so it’s a chance for my family and friends to come and see me compete.”
In the women’s light-middleweight category (W70kg), Derby’s 2024 Olympian, Chantelle Reid, defeated the USA’s Isabella Winkler to secure a medal, but ended up on the wrong side of 4:1 split decision in her semi-final against Maelys Richol of France and had to settle for bronze. It was her second medal of the year and follows on from her gold at the Strandja tournament in February.
Chantelle Reid said: “This year has been a busy year so far with travelling to USA, Bulgaria, Brazil and China. It was great to win another medal in China and I am proud of my achievements this year so far. I’ve still got three major competitions this year and I feel in great form for them. Representing my country makes me feel very proud and they’re all great steps towards the LA Olympics in 2028. I am feeling very positive, we have a great team around us.”
Reid’s fellow bronze medallist, Will Hewitt from Wigan, was another boxer that can be very happy with his performances in China, which included a win over Dovlet Muhanov of Turkmenistan and a fantastic 3:2 split decision victory against Paris 2024 silver medallist, Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan in his lightweight (M60kg) quarter-final. Sadly, Will was not able to get the better of Brazil’s world number three, Luiz Oliveira, in his semi-final and had to settle for a bronze medal.
Will Hewitt said: “The World Boxing Cups are all really tough tournaments where the standard of opposition is really high so to win a medal and beat an Olympic medallist is a really good achievement and shows I am heading in the right direction. It’s all great experience and I feel like I am learning and getting better all the time. We have still got a lot of big tournaments coming up with the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships later in the year, so I just want to go to as many of those as possible and keep improving.”
Of the other members of the squad, that competed in China, Lauren Mackie (W54kg), Patris Mughalzai (M65kg), Patrick Hewitt (M70kg) and Matt Williams (M90kg+) all enjoyed at least one victory. Amy Broadhurst (W60kg), Ellis Trowbridge (M55kg) and Dimeji Shittu (M80kg) were eliminated in their first bouts by boxers that went on to win medals.
Full details of the performances by all the boxers are on the GB Boxing website social media channels:
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