Tammara Thibeault won her second round clash of the under 75kg bracket at the Women’s World Boxing Championships. Saturday, in Istanbul, Montrealer and fifth in this category at the Tokyo Olympics defeated American Naomi Melissa Graham 5-0.
So she advanced to the quarter-final round on Monday against Australian Caitlin Anne Parker, ninth in Tokyo last summer.
Thibeault, 25, took advantage of the first-round bye and he stepped into the arena for the first time in the Turkish capital. Taller and younger than his 36-year-old opponent, Quebecer took advantage of his long stretch, which explains why his opponent regularly insists on clinching.
In the first round, Thibeault hit Graham in the chin. He came back with 40 seconds left thanks to a head strike to get the jury’s favor after the first 3 minutes of the fight.
The second round gave way to a more open fight with great head attacks on both sides, allowing the American to reach Thibault more accurately. Officers noticed and awarded the round to Graham.
The winner finally begins to pressure his opponent as soon as the final push begins. Caught in the cables, Graham was hit in the mouth. Thibault then continued to attack from a distance, wearing the American out of breath for the final 30 seconds.
Quebecer still received some good punches in the final moments of the match and so there was a trace of doubt on his face before announcing the decision that was finally in his favor.
In the 2019 worlds, Tammara Thibeault is in the third step of the podium.
Source: Radio-Canada