Refugee Olympic Team boxer Cindy Ngamba wins first fight, defeating former world champion
VILLEPINTE, France — Boxer Cindy Ngamba of the Refugee Olympic Team won her first fight at the Paris Gamesdazzled former world champion Tammara Thibeault of Canada on Wednesday.
Ngamba is one win away from claiming the refugee team’s first Olympic medal. She will face France’s Davina Michel in the women’s under 75 kilograms quarterfinals on Sunday.
Ngamba was born in Cameroon and moved to England when she was 11. The Bolton resident trains alongside Team GB in Sheffield. Last year, she became the first boxer on the Refugee Olympic Team to secure a place at the Olympics through qualifying rather than invitation.
Thibeault won the 2022 middleweight world title and was the No. 3 seed in the Paris bracket. But Ngamba beat Thibeault 30-27 on one card and 29-28 on two cards, while Thibeault won the other two cards by split decision. Ngamba finished strong, winning the third round on four cards to secure the victory.
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