New Delhi, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
England’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Isaac Okoh is brimming with confidence after a strong run this year as he targets success at the ongoing European Boxing Championships in Sofia.
Okoh, who endured an underwhelming World Championships campaign, bounced back in style by winning the gold medal in the 90kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He now aims to carry that momentum into the European Championships.
Okoh will begin his campaign against Poland’s Alexey Sevostyanov in a first-round bout on Sunday.
“I’m confident I can beat anyone in the world at the minute. It’s going to take a really good fighter to beat me,” Okoh said, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“There’s a lot of great competitors at the weight. I feel like I’m up there and I’m in real contention for a gold medal. I’m well up for it, and I fancy my chances against anyone at this tournament,” he added.
Reflecting on his Commonwealth Games triumph, Okoh described winning gold at the Glasgow Games as a dream come true, particularly with family and friends present.
“It’s a dream come true. When you first start boxing, the Commonwealth Games is one of the tournaments you dream of going to and then obviously to bring home the gold medal not too far away from home with friends and family there, it’s a proud moment,” he said.
Okoh said the victory had boosted his confidence ahead of future challenges, including Olympic qualification.
“It fills you with confidence going on into the future, Olympic qualifiers round the corner and the Olympics two years away. Since the World Championships, I’ve been boxing brilliantly. I knew I had to… I’ve been flying,” he said.
Great Britain and India finished with 10 medals each at the Commonwealth Games. India won seven gold medals, while Great Britain secured four.
Calling the Commonwealth Games a historic campaign for England, Okoh said the team had a strong and talented squad heading into the European Championships.
“We’ve got a great squad. We had a brilliant medal tally coming back from the Commonwealths, one of the best in a long time,” he said.
“We’ve got a great squad at the minute, lots of talent, very young, fresh, hungry. So the mood’s brilliant in camp and morale’s through the roof. It’s a great team and a great group of people to be around,” Okoh added.
FOLLOW NOW
