Stunning debut for Clauzel

Apr 10 2007 By John Gibson, The Evening Chronicle

Geordie Mark Clauzel made a stunning international debut with England, knocking out his opponent in his own backyard.

Clauzel, from the Northumbria club in Newcastle, flew to Stockholm for an international against Sweden.

And the ABA national finalist took out his opponent in the third round.

"I won by a knock-out, which was very satisfying," Clauzel told me. "My opponent was the Swedish champion at my weight and he had just won a bronze medal at a prestigious tournament, so he was a good scalp for me.

"I had him down before I finished him off for good. Now I'm hoping for another call-up as quickly as possible."

An England squad of seven men and four girls, including Hartlepool's Amanda Coulson, had made the trip across the North Sea.

NTWO of Clauzel's stable-mates have enjoyed good wins on local club shows. Andrew Simpson triumphed at Silverlink, while Tejan Massally took a points decision at Houghton-le-Spring.

"Andrew is my tip for the 2012 Olympics," enthused Glenn McCrory. "He's only a baby, but in five years he'll be the same age as Amir Khan was in Athens. If he keeps at, it the kid has a real chance."