Williams claims Box Cup gold as Madden takes away a silver

Cleary's Gym's Lewis Williams was crowned youth heavyweight champion at the Haringey Box Cup youth - Europe's largest amateur boxing event.
Lewis Williams shows off his gold medal after his final victory at the Haringey Box Cup. Picture submittedLewis Williams shows off his gold medal after his final victory at the Haringey Box Cup. Picture submitted
Lewis Williams shows off his gold medal after his final victory at the Haringey Box Cup. Picture submitted

Williams claimed a unanimous decision over Peterborough Police ABC’s Artur Tomasevic in the final at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Like Williams, Tomasevic had gone straight into the final, but he came with an impressive record having not tasted defeat in eight outings.

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However, Williams’ class and experience shone through, with the 17-year-old working off his jab to stay one step ahead of his opponent.

Tomasevic tried to force the pace in the second round but a left-right combination from Williams left him with a bloodied nose.

The punishment continued in the third round, with Williams forcing Tomasevic to take a standing count and going on to win the bout convincingly.

“Big pat on the back for Lewis as he went into the finals carrying a injury to his back,” said his coach Edwin Cleary.

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“But this was the finals and no injury was going to stop Lewis from competing.”

Fitzpatrick’s Boxing Gym’s Bella Madden had to settle for a silver medal after being forced to pull out of her 57kg final clash against the Royal Artillery’s Karris Artinghsall with a rib injury.

Madden had survived a ferocious onslaught from knockout specialist Mar Joseph in the semi-final to secure her final berth, recovering from a one-sided opening round to produced an assured second-round display.

“After a few well chosen words and reassurance she came out a completely different girl,” said coach Derek Fitzpatrick. “She composed herself and really improved.”

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Hampered by an injury, Joseph looked for a quick stoppage in the third but a second blow to the affected shoulder from Madden dislocated it and left the referee with no option but to stop the fight.

However, the following day, bruising to Madden’s ribs left Fitzpatrick with no option but to pull his fighter out.

“To say I’m absolutely gutted is an understatement,” said Fitzpatrick.

“I took her on the pads [before the final] and gave her a light tap and she just folded in half.

“I made the decision to pull her out.

“She wouldn’t have been going in 100 per cent.

“It’s my duty to protect the kids.

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“She wanted to carry on but afterwards she realised it was the right decision.”

There was disappointment, too, for Williams’ Cleary’s stablemate Danny Quartermaine who suffered a split-decision defeat to Irish international and former Haringey Cup winner Gary McKenna (Old School) in his opening encounter.

“We believed Danny had done enough to win,” said Cleary.

“This season has really been a find-your-feet season for Danny.

“When you’re going in and boxing as well as Danny did against one of the top fighters in Europe it’s hard to take a defeat.

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“But in time for next 
season all this experience will benefit Danny as he pushes on to be one of the best.”

Both Quartermaine and Williams have been asked to attend England training camps in July, with Quartermaine joining all the senior gatherings from now on.

Meanwhile, Warwick boxer Molly Perkins, fighting for Eastside, suffered a unanimous points defeat to Swedish boxer Katrin Noren (IF Linnea) in the Female A 51kg final.

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