Sunni Torgman of Islington Boxing Club won a gold medal at the 10th annual Haringey Box Cup at Alexandra Palace on Sunday to continue the club’s record of claiming at least one gold medal each year since the tournament began in 2007.

Islington Gazette: Islington's Scott Smart (left) and Mason Smith (right) with Shaun Thomas at the Haringey Box Cup (pic Reggie Hagland)Islington's Scott Smart (left) and Mason Smith (right) with Shaun Thomas at the Haringey Box Cup (pic Reggie Hagland) (Image: Archant)

Despite only making her debut in January of this year, Torgman added another accolade to her growing collection when claiming her second amateur boxing honour, following the success of winning a gold medal in the Golden Girls Box Cup in Sweden in February.

Torgman boxed twice in the tournament, firstly competing against Emily Hodges (Royal Air Force) in the Female C under-57kg semi-finals on Saturday, when she wasted little time and won inside a minute.

Hodges found it difficult to keep up with Torgman’s fast hands and strength and after being dropped to the canvas for the second time, the referee called off the contest to book the Islington female a place in the finals the next day.

Something had to give as Torgman met Natalia Rok (Stonebridge ABC), with both unbeaten in four previous contests, and in a close and very competitive contest it was Torgman who took victory via a split decision.

The first round was cagey, with Torgman on the front foot and pushing Rok back by landing the cleaner punches.

Rok came back stronger in the second, upping her gears to pressure the Islington boxer, but in the deciding round, Torgman opted to go back on the front foot and threw everything she had left in the tank to make she took victory.

The first day of the Box Cup on Friday saw 17-year-old Connor Daly lose out to Conner Kelseall (Tom Hill ABC) in the Youth A under-49kg competition.

Daly had claimed gold at the Hull Box Cup a week earlier and went in with five straight wins under his belt, but was caught too often and lost a unanimous decision, despite throwing punches and pushing his opponent back at times.

Amy Pu produced a spirited performance in the Female B under-60kg category against Hayley Weller (Moulscomb ABC), using her jab and right hand combinations, but it was not enough to earn the verdict.

There was better news for Scott Smart in the Senior B under-56kg event as he landed a unanimous decision against White Hart Lane’s Jack Tyrimos.

Southpaw Smart did not waste any time in the first round, letting his shot go and landing his left hand repeatedly.

The pace slowed down between the bantamweights in the second and third rounds, although there was no doubt that the cleaner and solid punches came from Smart.

However, the Islington boxer was defeated the next day by the strong Tommy Casey (Munster Boxing Select).

Smart was stunned early in the first round, tactically going to a knee, but showed good conditioning to come back before the end of the round.

The second round was much closer, with more tactical boxing on display from both, but Smart was under pressure from the Irishman and the corner threw in the towel for his welfare both the referee stepped in.

There were disappointing displays from development boxers Masood Abdullah (Senior B under-60kg), Borys Feldman (under-69kg) and Aaron Nicely (under-81kg) who were all eliminated on the first day via split decisions.

Abdullah lost against West Ham’s energetic Ailreza Ghadari, who took the first round by pressuring the Islington boxer on to the ropes and not allowing the lightweight to work.

The second and yhird rounds were a lot closer with Abdullah having success although it wasn’t enough for him to progress.

Feldman has become used to hearing the words ‘split decision’ from both sides of the ring, but lost his latest such verdict against Jack Ewbank (Rumbles BA).

The Islington hopeful was was too much in his comfort zone during the contest against an opponent very similar in style, making a slow start and allowing his Kent rival to earn the majority decision.

Aaron Nicely was outworked and outmuscled against Patrick Clavin (Thurles Boxing Club), although Nicely had the better style and landed the better punches, Clavin didn’t allow Aaron to work throughout the 3 rounds.

Mo Gharib lost a split decision to Macauley Owen (Coventry University) in the Class A under-60kg competition.

Owen often caught Gharib with strong combination punches in the first round, but the Islington boxer found his rhythm in the second despite being caught with a couple of solid punches.

Gharib finished the contest the much stronger of the two, although it wasn’t enough for a win.