Summer gets silver but has a gold future

Summer gave her all in the School Euros final today

SHE may not have claimed gold, but a future star was definitely born in Maribor, Slovenia, in the slender shape of Summer Grigg.

Summer, from Kingstanding’s Second City gym, was beaten in her under 36kg School Euros final today by Irish southpaw Ellen Joyce.

The Birmingham 13-year-old gave it her all. She forced the action, while Joyce, who reached the competition’s final last year, looked to land clean counters.

Second City boss Paddy Farrell had no complaints with the unanimous decision.

He told FightCity: “I was one of them with two different styles. The Irish girl was a little bit more correct in her punches, but Summer pushed her back for the whole of the three rounds. The Irish girl looked a bit more correct, a bit more composed.

“Summer gave it her all and I’ve got no arguments, I’m just proud of her. The Irish girl was in the final last year, so she had bags of experience – and she was a year older, which does make a big difference at that age.”

He added: “It’s another international medal for Second City, so I’m happy.”

Summer has shone throughout the competition. She dominated Israel’s Arina Hurieva in the quarters, oozing class on her way to a unanimous points win.

In the semi-final, the girl affectionately known as “Pit Bull” showed her power by halting Armenia’s Astghik Khachatryan in the first. Khachatryan took two standing counts before the contest was halted.

Summer joined Second City four years ago, initially as part of the Saturday morning children’s session.

In this, her first full competitive season, she won all five bouts, three by stoppage, and gained the ABA title.

“She is a real talent,” said Paddy, “she does everything perfectly. It’s not the power, but the accuracy, that stops opponents. She’s been sparring with the lads from the get-go.

“When Summer came to our gym, she wouldn’t even talk. She really was in her own shell, a real timid girl. Her mum and dad, Liam and Rebecca, were worried she may get bullied and school.”

Summer has certainly come a long way since then and Paddy praised trainer Paul Rutter for the transformation.

He said: “Paul has spent hours and hours with her. He has been amazing.”