Euro Games: So Far, So Good

British and Irish boxers kick off Minsk 2019 with an array of wins, but some big names lose out early. John Dennen on the opening days’ action from June 22-24

- John Dennen

BOXING at the second edition of the European Games got underway at the Sport Palace Uruchie in Minsk, Belarus. Welterweight Pat McCormack, a 2016 Olympian, began the campaign for GB boxers on Saturday ( June 22), unanimously outpointing Hungary’s Lazlo Kozak.

The top seed in his division, Pat had his second contest of the tournament on Monday ( June 24), winning another unanimous decision as he beat Estonia’s Pavel Kamanin.

Another 2016 Olympian, Galal Yafai, now a flyweight began his tournament on Monday, taking a unanimous decision over Hungary’s Martin Virban. “I’ve got to do better against better opposition if I’m going to get that gold medal,” Galal noted. “I’ve come close in a couple of tournaments and I need to start winning those titles now.”

Monday did see a shock defeat for one of the mainstays of the British team. Super-heavyweight Frazer Clarke is a veteran contender and, as a European silver medallist, was expected to do well. However Germany’s Nelvie Tiafack edged him out at the first stage, beating him on a split decision in Frazer’s first contest in Belarus.

“I felt a bit flat in there and something wasn’t right,” Clarke reflected. “I’m at the stage of my career where I shouldn’t still be learning. I have to take the blame and prepare to come back again.”