'Screw them' - Rosie Eccles delivers parting shot at ‘awful people’ who doubted her after winning 70kg boxing bronze at 2026 Commonwealth Games
Updated 31/07/2026 at 19:44 GMT+1
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Team Wales’ Rosie Eccles delivered one of the most passionate interviews of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after winning bronze in the women’s 70kg boxing category by taking aim at unnamed detractors who "tried to end" her career in the past 12 months.
'I'm stronger than them!' - Eccles delivers passionate interview after winning bronze for Wales
Video credit: TNT Sports
Eccles lost to India’s Arundhati Choudhary in the semi-finals, meaning she missed out on a shot at the title, but the consolation was a bronze to go with the Commonwealth Games gold medal she won in 2022 and the silver she claimed in 2018.
It completed the set of Commonwealth Games medals for the 30-year-old and made all the hardship since the Paris 2024 Olympics worth it.
Eccles always dreamed of stepping on an Olympic podium for Team GB, but it was not to be in the French capital two years ago as she exited at the round of 32 stage in the 66kg division. That left her heartbroken and on the verge of quitting the sport after being forced to contend with "awful" critics.
She left the GB Boxing squad soon after but, thanks to the team around her as well as her own resolve, she has bounced back to land another major medal for her nation.
Asked about the semi-final fight and the third round in particular, Eccles told TNT Sports: "A bit unfair, but do you know what? I don’t want to talk about that because otherwise, I don’t own this.
"In the Olympics it broke my heart and I’m not letting it. I want to dedicate this to my amazing team who have stood by me. There’s a massive support staff who have got me back here.
"I played my part in there. I’m not letting this break me like Paris.
"This last year has been so tough. I’ve talked about all the good people, but this last year there were some awful people, a small handful, who tried to end my career for me.
"And do you know what? Screw them.
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"I’ve come here, I’ve come back with the best people, and they’re on the fringes. I know I shouldn’t say it, but they nearly killed me mentally last year and I’m stronger than them.
"I’ve come back, I’ve fought with my dragon on my chest and I’m so proud of my team."
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