BURY amateur boxer Muhammad Ali saw his run at the inaugural European Games in Baku ended at the quarter-final stage at the weekend
The 18-year-old Great Britain fighter was forced to retire following an eye injury sustained after a clash of heads with Italy's Vincenzo Picardi during their opening round.
The Keighley boxer, who is trained by Bury ABC Mick Jelley, had got off to a winning start with a unanimous points victory against Moldova's Alexandr Riscan in his flyweight 52kg fight last week but his chance of a medal was prematurely ended on Saturday following the injury.
"His eye was split open and the doctor had to step in to stop the match," said Jelley.
"Obviously he's devastated and we are all disappointed for him because he has put so much work in."
Ali, who won a European junior title as well as bronze at last year’s Youth Olympics, will be unable to take part in the World Championships later this year following the Games exit, but Jelley is confident he can still qualify for next year's Olympics, although he will have to do it the hard way.
"Ali is a young lad, he's got time on his side and a promising future ahead of him.
"He's dedicated and trains harder than some professionals and this setback will hopefully see him come back even stronger.
"He wants to go to the Olympic Games and although qualifying for Rio will be more difficult now, there are other qualifiers so hopefully he'll get selected for one of those. And if he doesn't make Rio then he will make the Games after that."
Meanwhile, Prestwich boxer Sarah Dunne was defeated in a Multi Nations knockout competition at Harringey Boxing Club in London.
The former ABA champion lost her 60kg bout on a split decision to Lucy Kievler from Sweden.
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