It was a big day for Team NI’s boxers as a further four medals were guaranteed by Jude Gallagher, Michaela Walsh, Willie John McCartan and Jon McConnell – bringing the total to six from the ring.
Lightweight Gallagher – a gold medallist at featherweight four years ago – saw off Zambia’s Albert Ngulube on a 3-2 split while super-heavyweight Willie John McCartan powered past Ghana’s Daniel Plange.
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Earlier on Wednesday, defending featherweight champion Walsh delivered a punch-perfect display against Scotland’s Lara Brown, while Jon McConnell moved into the last four of the light-middleweight division by way of a walkover.
However, there was disappointment for flyweight Caitlin Fryers and light-middleweight Jansseen Hill who came up short in their respective quarter-finals.
Gallagher and McCartan advance
Gallagher was a 3-2 winner against Albert Ngulube [Getty Images]
Gallagher made a good start against Ngulube and had a lead after the first on four of the five cards.
The Zambian held the advantage in terms of height and reach, but was happy to stand and have a fight which suited Gallagher.
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It was a closer second with the 2022 featherweight champion just doing a bit better and going into the final round with a healthy lead on three cards.
Ngulube pressed on in an effort to turning it around, landing with right hands as he appeared to be growing in confidence but it wasn’t enough as Gallagher had done enough to set up a semi-final with Namibia’s Tryagain Morning Ndevelo on Friday.
“That was a tough fight,” Gallagher told BBC Sport NI.
“I caught him with some big shots and thought I’d hurt him in the first round. He was tough, well-conditioned and stayed at the same pace throughout, but I felt comfortable enough.
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“I knew I had the fight won going into the third so I could take it easy and will up the pace now for the semi-final. I was happy enough with my performance.
“I’ve a bronze medal now and another step closer to where I want to go into the semi-finals, progress into the final and please God, come out with the gold medal.”
McCartan set up a semi-final with England’s Damar Thomas as his right hand proved an effective weapon against Plange.
After a scrappy start, the Gilford man would regularly find a home for that shot with Plange then deducted a point in the second which left the Ghanian needing something extra special in the final round.
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Yet it was McCartan who seemed closer to the stoppage as he forced two standing counts to round off a hugely impressive victory.
“It’s another medal for the team so I’m buzzing,” McCartan told BBC Sport NI.
“That was a tough fight and nothing like the spar I had with that man as he brought an extra level I wasn’t expecting. I tried to box at times but was always in the clinch, so thank God the fitness and strength came through for me.
“I could have been better but I have a medal secured and I’m happy with that.”
Walsh seals fourth Commonwealth medal as Fryers and Hill bow out
Walsh was a unanimous decision winner against Lara Brown. [Getty Images]
Walsh put on an exhibition of counter-punching to win every round on all five cards, sweeping into Friday’s semi-final where she will face Fiji’s Jasmine Daunakamakama.
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It is Walsh’s fourth Commonwealth Games and the Holy Family fighter has now earned a medal in each, winning gold four years ago with silvers in 2018 and 2014, joining bowler Neil Booth, plus Mike Bull and Lady Mary Peters from athletics on four medals.
However, it’s performance rather than podium which is driving the 33-year-old this time.
“Medals don’t define happiness,” Walsh told BBC Sport NI.
“I’m just here to be the best version of myself and if that is the podium then it will be.”
In the flyweight division, Fryers lost on a unanimous decision against the tall and long Shakshi from India who survived a point deduction in the second round, but the Belfast woman was unable to capitalise despite her best efforts.
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Hill found the going tough against England’s Chantelle Reid in their light-middleweight quarter-final,
Hill, a former point-to-point rider, was given a difficult opening assignment against the world bronze medallist and it proved a huge learning experience with Reid powering through on a unanimous verdict.
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