Charlie Senior has vowed to deliver the ‘fight of the tournament’ along with synchronized backflips as he pursues more Australian boxing glory in Paris, all while honoring the memory of his late grandfather.
Having already secured Australia’s first medal in the 57kg category, the 22-year-old from Perth aims for the nation’s inaugural Olympic gold after a remarkable comeback against Filipino Carlo Paalam, winning a close 3-2 split decision at North Paris Arena on Saturday.
In Olympic boxing, losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals, which means Senior has already guaranteed Australia its seventh medal in the sport at the Games.
Senior sports a gumshield inscribed with the name of his grandfather Dennis, who passed away last year after battling cancer.
The Australian was unable to attend Dennis’s funeral prior to the Olympic qualifiers in December, as he could not return to England – his birthplace – to pay his respects.
‘Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the funeral or see him (before his passing),’ Senior shared with the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘That was my tribute to him. My mom and dad and my little sister are here. My grandma, Dennis’ wife, is also here and she traveled from England to support me, which means a lot.’
‘You can’t be present for everything. I’ve missed quite a lot. But I’d do it all over again. I’m missing out for the right reasons, and I’m sure I’m making him proud.’
Charlie Senior will take home at least a bronze medal from the Paris Games
Senior has the name of his grandad Dennis etched onto his mouthguard
Following his fight on Sunday morning, Senior again honored his grandfather.
‘He’s motivating me; it gives me that extra advantage,’ he remarked.
‘I know he would want this for me. Although I couldn’t be there when I wished, this is my way of making up for it, and I know this is his wish.’
After Harry Garside ended a 33-year medal drought by winning bronze in Tokyo, Senior aims to be the first to claim gold when competition shifts to Roland Garros next week.
‘This feels incredible. It’s a dream realized,’ he expressed.
‘I thought I’d won. I realized the rounds were tight, and going into the third round, I knew it was all down to that last round.
‘But by the end of the third, I knew I could box smarter, evade punches, and score points.’
‘It’s not just about hitting as hard as possible; it’s about boxing skill, executing the plan, and winning the match.’
He will face Abdumalik Khalokov on Thursday in a rematch of last year’s world championship semi-final, which the Uzbek won in Tashkent.
Interestingly, the Uzbek fans were cheering for Senior on Saturday after he had won their hearts last year with post-fight backflips and an embrace.
‘I could hear them chanting; it was incredible,’ he recounted, appreciating his unexpected fan base.
‘It’s a rematch. It will definitely be the fight of the tournament.’
Australian boxing captain Caitlin Parker has a quarter-final match on Sunday, while super heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana was defeated by the defending champion in his quarter-final on Friday.
Senior has his sights on Australia’s first Olympic gold after upsetting Filipino Carlo Paalam in a comeback, 3-2 split decision at North Paris Arena on Saturday
Senior paid tribute to his grandad saying that he is giving him an extra edge
The remaining nine Australian boxers, including Garside, who qualified by winning their divisions at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, each lost in their opening matches.
Senior rebounded after three of the five judges awarded a narrow first round to his opponent, taking risks and pressing forward against his smaller rival.
This strategy was effective enough to sway one judge, Irish official Ben McGarrigle, to split the rounds, setting the stage for his decisive vote in the third round.
His teammates joyously celebrated when he emerged as one of the three judges favoring him in the final round.
With a medal secured, Senior acknowledges his unique position but insists he isn’t content.
‘Staying grounded is my top priority. I come in, do my job, savor the moment for the night, and then I reset and refocus,’ he stated.
‘You don’t come here for just a bronze, and if that’s your aim, that’s why you may not achieve it.
‘You come here to win, aiming for that gold medal. I appreciate the bronze, but I’m not leaving with it.’
