Connor O’Neill reports affter Odel Kamara and Callum Makin returned to action in the World Boxing Championships
Odel Kamara after he beat Kuwardeep Manu
Odel Kamara and Callum Makin both delivered statement performances as they advanced into the quarter-finals of the World Boxing Championships. Kamara got his tournament up and running on Saturday afternoon as he beat Shpetim Bajoku of Kosovo in his 70kg round of 32 contest.
The Salisbury ABC man is being tipped by many to claim gold after winning gold and silver at his two most recent international competitions and he again showed his class here. The 21-year-old made a blistering start to the contest, scoring a knockdown inside the opening 30 seconds of the fight.
To his credit, Kuwardeep Manu of Canada rose to his feet quickly to beat the count.
But the knockdown set the tone for the rest of the fight, as Kamara used his fast hands and smart footwork to keep up the pressure.
The final scorecards had Kamara winning 30-26 on two and 30-27 on the other three.
“I like a little fast start,” the 21-year-old said, laughing. “It gets the ball rolling and after I put him down, I just thought box him.
“I knew I could beat him as soon as I got a feel for him. I just thought play it safe, don’t get no cuts, no bruises and I’ll be ready for the next round.”
Kamara will face Byambaerdene Otgonbaatar of Mongolia in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, and even though he is one bout away from securing a medal, he only has one thing on his mind.
“The only medal I am bothered about is the gold medal,” he said. “Just one fight at a time and I will get that gold medal eventually.”
Then, a couple of hours later, it was Makin’s turn to take to the ring as he took on Michal Jarlinski of Poland.
The Rotunda ABC man started the 75kg fight on the front foot, with the landing of a huge right being greeted by huge cheers from the crowd.
Among the crowd ringside were brothers Paul Smith, Callum Smith and Stephen Smith, with Chantelle Cameron joining them.
They watched three rounds that ebbed and flowed, but in the end, it was Makin who got the nod via split decision.
Three judges scored the contest 29-28 in favour of Makin, with the other two believing Jarlinski won the fight by the same score.
“He was very physical, good on the inside and was applying pressure all the time,” Makin told the ECHO after the fight.
“I knew I had to dig deep if I was going to win and that is what I did. I am happy. I could hear my supporters screaming and shouting.
“I think it was Paul Smith who shouted to me to let my left-hand go a bit more, I did and it worked well.”