CWG Boxing: Northern Ireland win two gold

NEW DELHI - Northern Ireland’s pugilists won two gold at the Commonwealth Games here Wednesday, while a Sri Lankan won his country’s first boxing gold at the Games.

In the first final of the day, Northern Ireland’s Paddy Barnes thrashed Jafet Uutoni of Namibia 8-4 in the 49 kg category.

Northern Ireland’s Patrick Gallagher defeated England’s Callum Smith 11-6 in the 69 kg category.

In the 56 kg category, Sri Lankan Manju Wanniarachchi won the gold after defeating Sean Mc Goldrick of Wales. The score was tied 7-7 after the final round, but Manju was declared the winner through the count-back process. This was Sri Lanka’s first boxing gold at the Games.

The scores of Gallagher and Smith werer tied 5-5 at the end of second round but the final round turned the fortunes of the Northern Ireland boxer.

“I put everything into it. I wasn’t at the top of my game, but I am very happy with the outcome,” said Gallagher.

“My game plan was to keep tight, stay to his right and slip under every shot because he (his opponent) has a nice jab and good uppercut. He hit harder than I thought. I had seen a lot of his fights and I was really impressed. I stuck to the game plan and it worked out all right,” Gallagher stated.

About the celebrations, Gallagher added: “Three months of drinking. It is going to be crazy when I get home.”

On his defeat, Smith said, “I wanted to box tight. I had the height advantage; so I wanted to keep it long, take his hits on the gloves. I had been chasing the fight after going behind in the first round, so I had to change my tactics. Then I found it hard to go back to do what I was meant to do. I lost my head a bit.”

In the 81 kg category, Callum Johnson of Scotland outclassed Norther Ireland’s Thomas Mccarthy 8-1.

“I’ve been telling you all week that I was going to do it. Everyone has made sacrifices for me to be here, including my girlfriend,” said Johnson.

“I haven’t had the confidence before and I’ve had doubts about myself. My dad has stuck by me though and said that one day I would be a champion,” he pointed out.

In the 60 kg category, Thomas Stalker, of England won over Josh Taylor of Scotland 11-3.