According to WomanJunction.com, 'The chances of having identical twins is 1 in every 285 pregnancies.' However, the statistics don't tell you that the twins could go on to be two of the best amateur boxers in their country. Identical twins, Ioan and Garan Croft from West Wales both secured a semi-final spot at the Commonwealth Games today after a pair of sensational performances.
Firstly, welterweight Ioan Croft stepped up to face Malawi's Luwis Zekuye Mbewe in his quarter-final bout. Croft would showcase a tremendous countering style, as Mbewe would try and implement a fast, front-footed approach, which Croft would completely nullify with some fantastic counterpunches. In the closing moments of round one, Croft's laser-like left hand would cause Mbewe all sorts of problems, leading to Mbewe getting a count. The second round did not last long, as Croft continued to land, leading to Mbewe getting counted a second time before Croft would close the show to advance to the semi-finals.
Attention would turn to the light middleweight division, as Garan Croft would participate in his quarter-final against Merven Clair of Mauritius. The first round saw the judges favour the work of Clair in what was a competitive round which could've gone either way. Croft would respond well in the second round, landing clean shots and getting the range spot on, keeping him out of trouble as he looked to swing the bout into his favour. A three-minute shootout would follow, as both men poured it on each other to be declared the winner, Croft was accurate and landed eye-catching shots which lead to Croft being declared the winner via unanimous decision.
The Croft Twins will next be seen on Saturday, as Garan will be squaring off with Northern Ireland's Aidan Walsh in the light middleweight semi-final. Ioan will be competing in the evening session, as he will take on Scotland's Tyler Jolly in the welterweight semi-final.