At home in Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport, Team GB shone on the final day of the Boxing World Cup Final—the last major event of the year—securing six medals, including three golds thanks to Dione Burman, Odel Kamara, and Dimeji Shittu. Meanwhile, Vivien Parsons, Kayla Allen, and Ellis Trowbridge each claimed silver after hard-fought finals.
This event marks the end of a packed 2024 for GB Boxing, which now shifts its focus toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, as the new cycle has only just begun.
An All-British Battle for Women’s Gold
The day kicked off with an all-British showdown in the women’s welterweight final. Dione Burman edged out her teammate Kayla Allen in a closely contested bout, winning 3-2. This victory secured Burman’s double in Sheffield, having already won gold in the tournament’s inaugural event in January. On her way to the final, she convincingly defeated experienced Swiss boxer Anna Monti by unanimous decision, before edging past Brazil’s Beatriz Soares, a 2023 World Championships quarterfinalist, with a 3-2 win in the semis.
Burman’s 2024 has been a rollercoaster, but she ended it on a high note:
“It wasn’t my best start to a fight, but I’m happy to have taken the gold. This year has been tough, but I’ve proven I can come back stronger.”
Odel Kamara’s Unstoppable Dominance
In the same weight category on the men’s side, Odel Kamara produced an equally impressive display, claiming gold in emphatic fashion. Two dominant unanimous victories against opponents from Mongolia and Panama earned him a place in the final, where he faced two-time Olympian Sewon Okazawa. Despite the bout being stopped early in the third round due to an accidental clash, the judges unanimously awarded Kamara the victory.
His perfect 2024 campaign—nine fights, nine wins, and not a single round lost—cements his status as one of the sport’s rising stars.
“I’ve faced world-class opponents this year, and I never backed down. I’m on cloud nine and ready to keep pushing forward.” At just 20 years old, Kamara could be one of the next big names in amateur boxing.
Oladimeji Shittu’s Tactical Masterclass
To round off a thrilling finals day, Oladimeji Shittu claimed victory in the 80kg category. Against Japan’s Go Wakaya, the British boxer put on a clinical display of technical skill and composure, winning gold via another unanimous decision. His path to the final included dominant performances against China’s Halimulati Rehemandu and South Korea’s Minseong Kim.
Beaming after his win, Shittu explained his mindset:
“Today, I just wanted to have fun. Sometimes, you need to take the pressure off and focus on enjoying the fight. This year has been full of challenges, but it’s made me mentally stronger.”
Shittu closes out 2024 with an impressive record—11 fights, eight wins.
Three Silver Medalists for Team GB
Among the runners-up, Kayla Allen settled for silver after her final loss to Burman. Meanwhile, Vivien Parsons impressed in the featherweight category before falling to Brazil’s Jucielen Romeu, a recent quarterfinalist at Paris 2024. Parsons had made a statement earlier in the tournament, winning both of her previous fights by referee stoppage against Italy’s Federica Zanellato and Thailand’s Preedakaman Tintabthai.
In the men’s draw, Ellis Trowbridge delivered a spirited performance against Mongolia’s Battulga Aldarkhishig, narrowly losing 3-2. He still leaves Sheffield with a well-earned silver, having secured wins over Italy’s Filippo Seca and Japan’s Soushi Makino.
Medal Table
Gold
- Women’s 66kg: Dione Burman
- Men’s 71kg: Odel Kamara
- Men’s 80kg: Dimeji Shittu
Silver
- Women’s 57kg: Vivien Parsons
- Women’s 66kg: Kayla Allen
- Men’s 51kg: Ellis Trowbridge
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