Nicole Clyde produced an impressive performance to give Team NI their first success in the boxing ring of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games with a unanimous 5-0 points victory over Ghana’s Nicky Bamford.
Clyde was harshly forced to take a standing eight count in the first round, but still showed enough quality throughout the contest to win it on all five judges score cards.
The Antrim fighter grew stronger as the fight went on, taking the second round and in the final round forced her opponent to take two standing eight counts to put the verdict beyond doubt.
It’s Clyde’s second Commonwealth Games and she now progresses to the Quarter-Finals – one fight away from a medal – in contrast to Birmingham four years ago when she lost her first bout.
“I’m really happy to win and I am really happy with the performance. It is just good to get off the mark and get going. I have learned in those four years since Birmingham just to go out now and enjoy myself and not to put pressure on myself,” said Clyde.
“I’m going out and taking it one round at a time and I am just trying to enjoy every bit of it. Four years ago, I was panicking, I was under pressure and I was putting myself under pressure, but this time I was enjoying it and having a bit of fun out there too.”
Keeping her focus throughout the three rounds proved to be keep in Clyde’s success.
“I thought the standing eight count was harsh, but you just stay composed about it and just carry on. As the fight went on I did get better, the back hand started landing and the standing eight counts to her just came of the back of it.”
Clyde’s progress means she will now go up against India’s Preeti Preeti in the last eight and she is remaining relaxed while a potential medal comes into sight.
“I’m just going to take it round by round. I’m not going to worry too much about medals yet, just chill out and take it as it comes,” said Clyde.
Clyde is the only Team NI boxer to experience a victory in the ring after Louis Rooney and JP Hale both lost in their opening bouts.
“I’m happy to get the ball rolling and hopefully the rest can keep the ball rolling,” she said.
