Connor celebrates reaching the semi-finals at Glasgow 2014.
Derry fighters Connor Coyle and Sean McGlinchey will today throw more punches as they continue their bid to win historic gold medals at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games boxing tournament.
Both have become the first boxers from the city to win medals at the Games since bantamweight Roy Nash returned with a silver from the 1986 Games in Edinburgh and today they compete in the semi-finals of their different weight divisions in the hope of continuing their quest to becoming Derry’s “golden boys.”
Middleweight Connor and light-heavyweight Sean put in impressive performances in their quarter-final bouts to book their places in today’s semi-finals, guaranteeing they will each return from Scotland with a bronze medal at least.
Both face very different opponents in their divisions when it comes to experience.
Sean McGlinchey shows his delight at reaching the semis.
Connor (24), of St Joseph’s ABC in Galliagh, faces the highly-rated Indian Vijender Singh, a former world number one in the 75 kg division, who has won medals at both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
In 2012, Singh became the first Indian boxer to qualify for three Olympic Games in a row, winning bronze in Beijing in 2008.
Speaking to Derry Daily, both Connor and Sean described reaching the semis as “amazing.`’
Connor, who has seen Singh fight, described him as a “world class competitor” but said he (Connor) believed he “packed the punches” to reach the final.
He said: “It feels absolutely amazing, knowing that I’ve guaranteed myself at least a bronze – that takes a lot of pressure of me, so I can settle down and box.
Vijender Singh: Connor’s opponent.
“He is world class competitor. He has an Olympic bronze, both Commonwealth silver and bronze, but I think I’ve a lot of power extra behind my shots – and he will feel them.”
The other middleweight contest sees England’s Anthony Fowler (23), a cousin of former England and Liverpool striker Robbie, take on Benny Muziyo (21), from Zambia, .a gold medallist at the 2010 African Youth Champoinships in Morocco.
Creggan man Sean (22), who represents Oak Leaf ABC, fights David Nyika, from New Zealand.
Named Best Boxer at the 2013 Youth Championships, the 18-year-old is making his first appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
Sean has also seen his opponent fight and is equally as confident of winning through.
He said: “It’s amazing, so it is.
“Well before I look at the final, I have another fight to win and I’ll do what I have been doing and keep the head focused on the fight in front of me.
David Nyika who will fight Sean.
“I have seen him fight. He is a good boxer and it will be a good fight but if I do what I can do, then I will get though it.”
The other light-heavyweight semi-final sees Kennedy St Pierre (21), from Mauritius up against Nathan Thornley (21) from Wales.
Sean’s contest is included in the afternoon session scheduled to begin at 1.00pm while Connor’s semi features in the evening session which begins at 7.00pm.
Family and friends, who will be in the crowd at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, will be joined by thousands glued to their television sets on this side of the Irish Sea cheering the duo on as they bid to cement their names among Derry’s boxing greats..
Nine Northern Ireland boxers are competing in the semis – the others are: Paddy Barnes, Steven Donnelly, Michael Conlan, Michaela Walsh, Alanna Audley-Murphy, Joe Fitzpatrick and Sean Duffy.
Tags:
