Two Canadian boxers are guaranteed at least a silver medal at the 2022 Women’s World Boxing Championship. Now, Tammara Thibeault of Saint-Georges, Quebec and Charlie Cavanagh of Saint John, New Brunswick are fighting for gold. On Wednesday in the semifinals from Istanbul, Turkey, Thibeault and Cavanagh both won their semifinal bouts.
Thibeault defeated Rady Gramane of Mozambique very easily 5-0 in the middleweight division. In this match, Thibeault used her height to her definite advantage. At 6’0″, Thibeault was the dominant fighter, as Gramane, who is only 5’6″, will now have to settle for bronze.
Cavanagh meanwhile just got by Ichrak Chaib of Algeria 3-2 in the welterweight division. In three of Cavanagh’s four wins leading up to the final, she has won with a 3-2 scoreline.
Thibeault will now fight Atheyna Bylon of Panama for the gold medal. Bylon has won the gold medal at the Women’s World Boxing Championship once before as she was victorious at the 2014 World Championships in Jeju City, South Korea.
Cavanagh will fight Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey. Surmeneli is the clear favourite, having won the gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, and the gold medal at the 2019 World Women’s Boxing Championship in Ulan-Ude, Russia. Surmeneli will also have the crowd on her side.
