Rosie Eccles is relishing a good old-fashioned Wales v England dust-up with a gold medal at stake at the Commonwealth Games.
Welsh boxer Eccles is through to the final of the women’s 69kg boxing, where she will face familiar foe Sandy Ryan of England. The two fighters met three years ago, when Ryan emerged as the winner.
Eccles, 21, who fits out of the Pontypool boxing club, won her semi-final against Kaye Scott of Australia and can now become Commonwealth champion if she beats Ryan on Saturday.
Eccles won a 4-1 points decision against Scott and said: “I’m feeling totally ecstatic, that’s what I came here for.
“I knew I had to do a proper job on her (Scott). I couldn’t just win the rounds. I needed to win them and then some. I was very aware of that.
This is what it means for @Rosie_Eccles96 to go through to the 69kg final..great win Rosie @sport_wales https://t.co/J54ksaTvXv
— Welsh Amateur Boxing (@WelshBoxing) April 11, 2018
“I didn’t think she could handle my jab, that’s why she was coming in close at the end. The last round was less clinical but you’ve got to use a bit of heart sometimes.
“Everything worked out. I’ve got an amazing team, an amazing coach. We have a plan for everything and we did that today so I’m very happy.
“Honestly, before I came out I said my dream is to fight Sandy Ryan in the final. There’s no better way to win than against someone who’s a good girl and a good challenge. We’re going for gold on the 14th and I’m ecstatic.”
Ryan beat Canadian Marie-Jeanne Parent to set up her final with Eccles.
She, too, is looking forward to an Anglo-Welsh fight for the gold medal at the weekend and said: “I’m buzzing, getting to the Commonwealth Games final. All the hard work is paying off.
“We know a lot about each other. I beat her (Eccles) at 64kg in 2015. She’s got stronger but I believe my boxing ability will overtake that, so we’re going to have a good fight.”