Bronze medal fuels the fire for Desborough boxer Mackie
Desborough boxer Lauren Mackie plans to use the disappointment of Commonwealth Games bronze as fuel for the future as she targets the next Olympics.
The 20-year-old lost her 54kg semi-final to Scarlett Savannah Delgado, with four of the five judges awarding the fight to the Canadian.
Mackie still walked away with a bronze medal, with semi-final losers automatically added to the podium.
She arrived at her first Commonwealth Games with a growing reputation following a successful transition to the senior level and departs with her reputation enhanced after recording three victories.
“It was not my best performance, I left it too late in the rounds to pick up the judges’ points, but it has been a good tournament overall,” she said.
“I have had four fights, which gives me the experience I need for the long journey ahead.
“Obviously it means a lot, the Commonwealth Games is a great tournament to be a part of and to come away with a medal means a lot.
“It is all about picking up medals and continuing to improve.”
Mackie is one of 251 Team England athletes here in Glasgow, all of whom benefit from crucial National Lottery funding.
While still a teenager, Mackie was thrown into the deep end in what was her senior debut at the World Championships in Liverpool in September 2025, but she performed well in reaching the round of 16 and losing out narrowly on a split decision.
She had previously won medals at European and World youth competitions and is targeting the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Mackie recorded unanimous victories over Kenya’s Amina Faki and Wales’ Helen Jones, as well as a narrow win over Australia’s Monique Suraci.
But she came up against the savvy veteran Delgado, who was awarded the first round by all five judges.
Mackie was stronger in the second and third rounds, with one judge awarding her both, but the other four gave Delgado the win.
“It has been a great crowd, and the venue has been amazing. It gives us great exposure and makes it more enjoyable having it all put together,” Mackie added.
“The European Championships are just around the corner, and I hope to be selected for them.”
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