2024 Boxing 2nd World Qualification Tournament – Day 8: GB’s Lewis Richardson secures quota, Amy Broadhurst out

Great Britain’s Lewis Richardson put on a masterclass to progress to the 2024 Boxing 2nd World Qualification Tournament semi-finals in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday (31 May).

The 26-year-old won his light middleweight fight with Puerto Rico’s Angel Gabriel Llanos Perez by unanimous decision, meaning he also secures a Paris 2024 Olympic quota*.

“It feels unbelievable. I’ve worked so hard for this and years of hard work have gone into it, so I’m really proud of myself for making it happen,” European and Commonwealth Games medallist Richardson told GB Boxing after.

“I’ve had a lot of setbacks and I’m so thankful for everyone who’s contributed, to the doubters who have motivated me along the way.

“There’s been more ups than downs but the downs hit you hard and missing out in the first qualifier and then having four bouts out here – it means so much to me.”

Elsewhere in the men’s 71kg category, Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Aidan Walsh lost out to Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash in a 4-1 split decision.

The Irishman took a year out of the sport after Tokyo 2020 to recover from mental health issues, and put on an impressive run in both World Qualifiers, given his limited preparation time.

That was followed by a victory for Polish Tokyo 2020 Olympian Damian Durkacz, who beat Cuba’s Jorge Cuellar by unanimous decision.

*As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective teams at the Olympic Games, athletes’ participation at Paris 2024 depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation.