Commonwealth Games: Charlie Flynn goes for gold

CHARLIE FLYNN of Scotland guaranteed himself a silver medal in the men’s boxing lightweight division at Glasgow 2014 when he produced a storming performance to defeat Joe Cordina of Wales in a thrilling semi-final at the SECC.

Gold medalist Charlie Flynn will be among those present. Picture: TSPL

The 20-year-old Scot was regarded as the underdog against the more experienced Cordina, two years his senior, and it looked as if the man from Newport would justify his favouritism when he took a scrappy first round on all three judges’ scorecards.

But Flynn recovered superbly from that sluggish start, taking control of centre ring in the second round and unsettling Cordina. The Welshman was guilty of holding on several occasions and fortunate not to be handed an official warning. Two of the judges scored the round to Flynn, but Claus Bedemann of Denmark bizarrely awarded it to Cordina.

It left the Motherwell boxer in need of a big final round and he duly delivered it. Dominant throughout, he placed sustained pressure on the rapidly tiring Cordina whose holding and rough tactics became more pronounced. All three judges scored the round to Flynn, adding up to a split decision win in his favour overall.

Flynn catches his opponent with a sweet right. Picture: TSPL

In tomorrow afternoon’s final at the Hydro, Flynn will face Joe Fitzpatrick of Northern Ireland who won every round on all three judges’ card to claim a unanimous decision points win over Michael Alexander of Trinidad and Tobago.