Portsmouth pair storm into European semi-finals
Ebonie Jones and Ivy-Jane Smith have both moved into the semi-finals of the under-22 tournament for Great Britain.
Jones, who is out of the army, has delivered two barnstorming performances in Romania, defeating two national champions at 54kg.
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Hide AdThe Drayton talent was the only GB fighter not to receive a bye in the first round but she stormed past Serbian champion Andjiela Brankovich via unanimous decision.
Jones faced Latvian and two-time K1 world champion Amanda Millere in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old controlled the centre of the ring throughout the contest and was awarded the contest by all three judges.
Her father, Chipper, said: ‘Ebonie boxed really, really well.
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Hide Ad‘She held the middle of the ring and was just picking her opponent off and had loads of head movement.
‘She just boxed brilliant and she’s into the semi-finals now.
‘Ebonie had a tough fight against the Serbian girl, which she won by unanimous decision and has now beaten Millere unanimously.
‘Sometimes you think it has been a close fight but she did really well and I never had any doubts.’
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Hide AdSmith continues her progression at senior level after clinching a bronze medal at the Nations’ Cup in Serbia earlier this year.
The Heart of Portsmouth ace faced Greek champion Aikaterini Koutsogeorgo in the 51kg weight class and clinched a unanimous-decision success.
Heart of Portsmouth head coach Q Shillingford saluted Smith’s performance.
He said: ‘Ivy boxed really well. It was a great opening bout for her to get her into the tournament.
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Hide Ad‘She didn’t take many shots, used the ring well and controlled the bout with both power and skill.
‘Ivy defeated the Greek champion and it means she’s now guaranteed a bronze medal because she’s in the semi-final.’