Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Boxing

Lauren Price edges into final and stays on course for gold as Britain’s boxers deliver Tokyo 2020 medal rush

, Lauren Price edges into final and stays on course for gold as Britain’s boxers deliver Tokyo 2020 medal rush

LAUREN Price booked her appointment with Olympic middleweight destiny – but was given the fight of her life by Dutch rival Nouchka Fontijn.

Welsh wonder Price and Fontijn have been fighting for supremacy for five years, with the former part-time cabbie from Newport holding a narrow edge.

Team GB’s Lauren Price tries to get a read on Nouchka Fontijn
Price walks Fontijn on to a beautiful straight right hand

, Lauren Price edges into final and stays on course for gold as Britain’s boxers deliver Tokyo 2020 medal rush

An elated Price celebrates after winning via split-decision

, Lauren Price edges into final and stays on course for gold as Britain’s boxers deliver Tokyo 2020 medal rush

An emotional Price celebrates with her corner

And after three gruelling rounds at the Kokugican Arena, the 27-year-old – who lost a point in round two – got through by the skin of her teeth on a 3-2 majority after two judges gave it to her on the tie-break when their cards were level.

Britain’s boxers have delivered six medals at Tokyo 2020 with Price and Galal Yafai both still in with a chance of gold.

Price had just outpointed Fontijn to lift the world and European belts in 2019.

Yet despite the southpaw Brit seeming to have used her speed to edge the first, ducking inside Fontijn’s orthodox lead to land her own shots, it was the Dutch fighter who shaded it with three of the five judges.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

That put the pressure on, increased even more when Price was deducted a point for holding.

Even though she took the round with three of the judges, it meant she was behind on four of the cards after two, having to dominate the last to get through.

She did not do that in another three minutes which could have been decided either way but was shaded by the Welsh fighter according to four of them.

That left Fontijn ahead on two cards, Price on one and level with the Argentine and Moroccan judges.

Both gave their tie break vote to Price, who howled in sheer delight as the verdict came in to confirm her passage to Sunday’s final.

A thrilled Price thanked her fans as she left the ring, adding: “It means the world.”

She told the BBC: “It’s pretty mad, to be honest.

“Obviously, I knew I was up against it today, we’re the best two in the world.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“We’ve faced each other a number of times and we know each other inside out. So it was whoever was better on the day.

“I started a little bit slow, but I suppose that’s where your experience comes into it and listening to my corner I went out in the second and third round to win the fight.

“I’m just over the moon that I got the win. But I take my hat off to her.

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

, Lauren Price edges into final and stays on course for gold as Britain’s boxers deliver Tokyo 2020 medal rush

“Obviously, she’s been around a while as well, Olympic silver medallist and she’s world-class as well.

“So I’m just really pleased that I got the decision today.”

Price’s opponent with be Qian Li of China, who has yet to drop a single round with any judge in her three contests.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Crunch Top-of-the-Table Clash As Arsenal gears up to face defending Premier League champions Manchester City in a high-stakes match on Sunday, fans are on...

Premier League

Meet Ritchie De Laet A former Belgium international, Ritchie De Laet, achieved an incredible milestone in his career by celebrating Premier League title success...

Premier League

Bacary Sagna's New Venture Former football star Bacary Sagna, known for his time with Arsenal and Man City, has traded in his boots for...

Golf

Legendary Golfer's First Agent Shares Shocking Details Hughes Norton, Tiger Woods' first agent, has revealed his feelings of betrayal after being sacked by the...

Premier League

Roy Keane Doubts Arsenal's Chances Roy Keane is not convinced that Arsenal will beat Manchester City in their upcoming clash at the Etihad Stadium....

Premier League

Luton Town's Injury Woes Luton Town is facing a mounting injury crisis as they gear up to face Tottenham, with assistant manager Kevin Foley...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement