Caw-blimey! It's a bronze for Will

Reporter: Simon Smedley
Date published: 22 March 2017


OLDHAM Boxing and Personal Development Centre star-in-the-making Will Cawley won a bronze medal while representing England at the week-long European Confederation Under-23 Boxing Championships in Braila, Romania.

Competing in the 52kg category, Cawley, from Holts, made his way to the semi-final stage after beating tough opponents from Russia and from Ireland in the preliminary stage and quarter-finals respectively.

The 19-year-old had already secured a medal when he came up against the much more experienced and pre-tournament favourite for gold - Gabriel Escobar from Spain - in the last four.

After three rounds of thrilling toe-to-toe action, the judges awarded the bout to Escobar by a split decision - despite many at ringside believing differently.

Cawley was naturally disappointed, saying: "I believe I was on the end of a poor decision, to an Olympian too.

"Everyone around the ring thought I'd got it, but it wasn't to be."

Eric Noi, Cawley's long-time coach at the Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre, said: "Will boxed really well in the semi-final and he should have got the decision.

"As many saw at the recent Rio Olympics, that is international amateur boxing for you - the result doesn't always go your way.

"Will has done really well considering this was his first major tournament at any level, and also the fact that he is the youngest member of the GB Podium squad.

"This has been another learning experience for him, though.

"He continues to train with Team GB in Sheffield and hopefully he'll be part of the England team at next year's Commonwealth Games."