European-Hit me hard because I fight like a man, says Briton Ryan (Reuters)
By Justin Palmer BAKU, June 20 (Reuters) – Sparring in the gym with her brother and other male boxers is an integral part of Sandy Ryan’s training regime and if you don’t punch her hard she’ll thump you back harder. A lot of people say I look like a lad,” Ryan said after defeating Germany’s Cindy Rogge in their last 16 contest at the European Games on Saturday. “Some of the lads take it easy the first time they spar with me but the coaches always say, ‘you’d better hit her hard because she’s going to hit you back’.” Ryan, 21, won world championship silver last year at her first senior major tournament, but has endured a frustrating few days waiting for her opening bout in Baku but shook off the rustiness against Rogge.