Birmingham flyweight Khalid Yafai loses but shows aggression
I DETECTED more than a hint of disappointment from Khalid Yafai that he did not win gold in the finals of the European Championships in Russia.
The talented Brummie flyweight was beaten 4-1 by Russian Misha Aloyan in the final but it was Yafai who forced the pace and showed much more aggression.
Although the silver was a brilliant achievement, it somehow wasn’t quite the same.
But for the Yafai family and the Birmingham City ABC it was an experience to remember with brother Gamal winning a bronze in his first serious competition representing Great Britain.
In all the GB team won three silvers and two bronze. The other silver winners were Iain Weaver from Bournemouth and Tom Stalker from Liverpool.
Team manager, Brummie Robert McCracken, said: “Khalid was clearly the better boxer and I thought Iain Weaver could have had better luck too. But the fact is we have come away from the toughest of tournaments with five medals.”
Yafai’s brother Gamal and Welshman Andrew Selby won bronze medals and McCracken added: “When the disappointment is over, we will look back at a great tournament which has proved Great Britain belongs alongside the likes of Russia and Cuba as one of the strongest nations in boxing.”
On the domestic front it was celebration time at Eastside and Birmingham City. Steed Woodall is the new Three Nations champ after earning a well-deserved revenge victory over Northerner Ryan Martin.
England international and vastly-experienced Martin beat Woodall 9-6 in the ABA Junior championships and was regarded as a lucky winner.
But Woodall received his chance of revenge in the Three Nations where he again met up with Martin. This time the Brummie got what he deserved with a fine 10-3 victory.
Woodall is now waiting for a call tomorrow from England team manager Mick Gannon, who will be naming the team to box in the European championships.
Eastside coach Paul Counihan said: “Steed is in fantastic form and deserves a call-up for England.”
Back to Birmingham City where Rachael Murray is the new ABA 60k champion. She boxed brilliantly to beat experienced Lisa Orton from St Mary’s in Essex 18-15.
