The GB Boxing squad, a motley crew of 27 spirited pugilists, is gearing up for a clash of titans at the “World Boxing Cup: GB Open – Sheffield 2024.” They’ll be strutting their stuff from the 17th to the 20th of January 2024 at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.
Picture this: over 100 boxers from 16 nations, all descending on Sheffield for what is only the fourth elite, Olympic-style boxing rumble in Great Britain since London 2012.
This Sheffield skirmish is a critical stepping stone to the Olympic boxing qualifier in Milan, scheduled for 4th to 11th March 2024. The Brits’ performance here could make or break their chances for the Italian showdown, and ultimately, a ticket to Paris 2024.
Sheffield is the new kid on the block in the elite international boxing calendar, hosting part of the World Boxing Cup series. This series is the brainchild of World Boxing, the new international federation hell-bent on keeping boxing in the Olympic spotlight.
If you’re itching to witness this fisticuffs fiesta, tickets are up for grabs starting at a mere £10 (plus that pesky booking fee). Get them at www.seetickets.com
GB Boxing’s lineup is a blend of 15 men and 12 women from England and Wales, featuring Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, the formidable Delicious Orie.
Orie, a super-heavyweight behemoth, has already punched his ticket to Paris 2024. His gold at last year’s European Games in Krakow was his golden ticket. The “World Boxing Cup: GB Open – Sheffield 2024″ marks his first UK bout since his Birmingham 2022 triumph and his first fight since securing his Paris berth.
Delicious Orie, sounding off on his plans, said, “I’m aiming to be in top form for Paris. To get there, I need to throw down in as many tournaments and training camps as possible. Sheffield is where I start throwing punches to make that happen.”
He adds, “Competitions are the battleground where I hone my skills, facing off against various styles and tactics.”
Meanwhile, featherweight Elise Glynn and light-heavyweight Taylor Bevan are among several hopefuls eyeing a spot in the Milan qualifier. Glynn excitedly notes, “Fighting on home turf is a rare treat. It pumps up the atmosphere and cuts down on travel hassles. I’m revved up and ready to compete.”
Bevan, waving the Welsh flag, chimed in, “Kicking off the year in Sheffield, where we train, is perfect. I get to fight in front of my nearest and dearest, aiming for a win and honing my skills for the upcoming Milan qualifier.”
Also in the spotlight is Cindy Ngamba, a middleweight representing the IOC Refugee Team, currently partnered with the GB Boxing squad. Ngamba, in pursuit of a British passport, is set to showcase her skills in Sheffield.
GB Boxing’s Performance Director, Rob McCracken, encapsulated the event’s significance, stating, “With the Olympic year just starting, this early competition in 2024 is a golden chance for our boxers to shine in the UK and prep for Milan. It’s the perfect platform for them to show their mettle and vie for a spot in the next Olympic qualification event.”
Here’s a detailed list of the boxers participating in the upcoming event, categorized by weight class, country, and hometown (club):
MEN
- Kiaran MacDonald
- Weight Class: Flyweight – 51kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Sunderland (Sunderland ABC)
- Hamza Mehmood
- Weight Class: Flyweight – 51kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Milton Keynes (Hoddesdon Boxing Academy)
- Scott Richards
- Weight Class: Flyweight – 51kg
- Country: Wales
- Hometown (Club): Pontypridd (Pontypridd ABC)
- Jack Dryden
- Weight Class: Featherweight – 57kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Newcastle (Birtley ABC)
- Owain Harris
- Weight Class: Featherweight – 57kg
- Country: Wales
- Hometown (Club): Gravesend (Apollo’s and llanedyrn ABC)
- Joe Tyers
- Weight Class: Light-welterweight – 63.5kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Darlington (Darlington ABC)
- Patris Mughalzai
- Weight Class: Light-welterweight – 63.5kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Hillingdon, London (Powerday Hooks ABC)
- Huey Malone
- Weight Class: Light-welterweight – 63.5kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Coventry (Christ The King)
- Lewis Richardson
- Weight Class: Light-middleweight – 71kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Colchester
- Taylor Bevan
- Weight Class: Light-heavyweight – 80kg
- Country: Wales
- Hometown (Club): Eastleigh (Roose Boxing Club)
- George Crotty
- Weight Class: Light-heavyweight – 80kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Royston, Cambridgeshire (Royal Navy)
- Ramtin Musah
- Weight Class: Light-heavyweight – 80kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Congleton (Beartown ABC)
- Lewis Williams
- Weight Class: Heavyweight – 92kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Leamington Spa (Clearys)
- Patrick Brown
- Weight Class: Heavyweight – 92kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Manchester (Moss Side Fire Box)
- Delicious Orie
- Weight Class: Super-heavyweight – 92kg +
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Wolverhampton (Small Heath ABC)
WOMEN
- Demie-Jade Resztan
- Weight Class: Light-flyweight – 50kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Cambridge (New Astley)
- Ivy-Jane Smith
- Weight Class: Light-flyweight – 50kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Sheffield (Steel City ABC)
- Savannah Stubley
- Weight Class: Light-flyweight – 50kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Lynemouth (Empire School of Boxing)
- Lauren Mackie
- Weight Class: Bantamweight – 54kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Northamptonshire (Burton Park ABC)
- Elise Glynn
- Weight Class: Featherweight – 57kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Solihull (West Warwicks ABC)
- Olivia Holmes
- Weight Class: Featherweight – 57kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Liverpool (Rotunda ABC)
- Sameenah Toussaint
- Weight Class: Featherweight – 57kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Harrow (Yeading Boxing Club)
- Shona Whitwell
- Weight Class: Lightweight – 60kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Cambridge (St Ives ABC)
- Lucy Kings-Wheatley
- Weight Class: Lightweight – 60kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Birmingham (Acocks Green)
- Dione Burman
- Weight Class: Welterweight – 66kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Leicester (Brainstone Golden Gloves)
- Kerry Davis
- Weight Class: Middleweight – 75kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Cheltenham (Small Heath ABC)
- Chantelle Reid
- Weight Class: Middleweight – 75kg
- Country: England
- Hometown (Club): Derby (Kode Red)
- Cindy Ngamba
- Weight Class: Middleweight – 75kg
- Country: Fair Chance
- Hometown (Club): Bolton (Halliwell ABC)
*Note: Participation of some athletes is subject to injury status.