Kelly Harrington has guaranteed Ireland at least one bronze medal at the AIBA World Women’s Boxing Elite Championships in New Delhi, India.
The 2016 World Championship silver medallist at light-welterweight, beat Canada’s Caroline Veyre on a unanimous decision at lightweight, after a sensational performance.
Harrington dominated the exchanges against her Canadian opponent with her intelligent movement and hand-speed. The Dubliner demonstrated incredible composure as she kept on the outside jabbing and moving, landing some heavy shots on the way to victory.
Harrington had already caused a major upset in the previous round, stunning the home crowd to defeat three-time World Championship medallist and home favourite, Sarita Devi.
The Dubliner is guaranteed her second successive medal at this level and fourth major medal in total. The St Mary’s stylist Kazakhstan youngster Karina Ibragimova on Thursday for a place in Saturday’s lightweight finals.
Meanwhile, Dundalk light-welter Amy Broadhurst will also fly the flag for Ireland today as she is in actin against another Indian home-favourite, Simranjit Baath Kaur early this afternoon.
The Dundalk southpaw, nicnamed ‘Baby Canelo’, meets Kaur after she defeated Armenia’s Ani Hovsepyan with a unanimous decision, yesterday.
Broadhurst dispatched her opponent with ease as she displayed great technical ability and power to outbox and out-smart the Armenian. Throughout the tournament, Broadhurst has exhibited phenomenal movement and fast-hands, out-boxing everyone put in-front of her.
The European U22 lightweight champion kept at range and was announced the winner on a unanimous decision with the judges scoring the fight 30-27×2 and 29-28×3.
With one victory away from a guaranteed medal, the light welterweight will face Indian home favourite Simranjit Kaur this afternoon. Broadhurst is the physically superior athlete with more technical skills but will have to overcome the inevitable home bias and Indian crowd.
Despite this, Broadhurst is excited and eager to get into the ring.
“I’m always nervous, regardless of the country. This will only make me want to do better,” said Broadhurst