Issue #8

Welcome to issue #8 of Hastings Westhill ABC's newsletter.

The newsletter is published on an, as and when basis so check back to our web site www.westhill-boxing.com on a regular basis .

We are always happy to publish editorials from guest authors, so if you wish to assist us with this newsletter, simply email your suggestions to:

info@westhill-boxing.com

"Ask The Ref"

Referee brothers Rees and Peter Hopcraft will be on hand to answer all your questions.

Send your questions via email to:

info@westhill-boxing.com

Questions and Answers: None in this issue.

Boxing Action & Results

The busy schedule has continued through 2007 with many West Hill Boxers featuring in top quality bouts.

16/02/2007 - Whitstable

Two lads boxed on the Whitstable ABC show, they were Enrik Rrukaj and Shaun Attrell. Enrik returned to the ring after his memorable debut bout on the Crawley Junior Show where he won what was widely regarded as the events best bout.

However as we all know boxing can be a bitter sweet pill at times and on this occasion Enrik simply never got going and lost a unanimous verdict to Whitstable's own Lee Stratton.

Losing is one thing but don't lose the lesson Enrik! Well done Lee.

Shaun Attrell (pictured below) achieved the exact opposite starting very quickly against the Army's J McGarvie. It was not long before McGarvie must have felt surrounded by machine gun fire as Shaun was on top form throwing punches from all angles, he was able to force a stoppage in the 1st round.

17/02/2007 - Winter Gardens, Eastbourne

Ben White, Dave Warren and Barry Buchanan all boxed well to secure 3 victories at the Winter gardens, Eastbourne where Ricky Hatton, Terry Marsh and Wayne Alexander were the celebrity guests of honour.

Ben who boxed first of the three West Hill boys dominated his bout with a controlled display of power punching caught perfectly on film by Eric Guy (see below)

Ben was able to stop his opponent Scott Mayer (South Norwood) in the 2nd round (RSC2).

Dave Warren was next up in a return with Horsham's Ben Gumbrell. Ben certainly gave it his all and obviously wanted to revenge his previous loss to Dave. Dave however was having none of it and met Ben punch for punch to take a unanimous points victory - No doubt these 2 guys will meet again and no doubt it will be another thriller! (Picture below kindly supplied by Eric Guy).

Last on, quite literally, was Barry Buchanan who topped the bill (4 X 2 min rounds) against Stacy Ayers of Guildford City.

Two strong, experienced boxers - something had to give and that's exactly what happened!

Barry won when Stacy was retired by his corner in the 2nd after taking a precision body shot that would have winded a rhino - the photo below captures the moment in painful graphic detail.

18/02/2007 - Golden Gloves, Farnborough

Sunday 18th February - Golden Gloves, Farnborough and West Hill's Frank "Stockings" Smith carried on the club's rich vein of form started 2 days earlier by Shaun Attrell when he over-powered his opponent Keelan Hainey of Willenhall in the Golden Gloves pre 1/4 final.

Gary White, Frank's trainer will now take his charge to Spennymoor to box in the semi-finals as no opponent was available at the 1/4 final stage.

Frank is pictured below.

23/02/2007 - Southern Counties vs Midlands

Of 3 West Hill Boys who traveled with the Southern Counties Squad to face a Midlands select team only novice Enrik Rrukaj fought, both Ben White and Sid Smith's opponents weighed in too heavy.

Enrik rose to the challenge and fought gallantly against local, S. Maqsood (One Nation ABC) in front of 600 partisan Midland dinners in the Old Motor Cycle Museum, Solihull to be narrowly beaten on points.

George Brown of Crawley ABC, who organised the event was quoted as being proud of Enrik's performance as are we all at the West Hill - it took "Guts" given his lack of experience.

23/02/2007 - Hove Town Hall, Hove

Five West Hill boxers fought on the very well organised White hawk ABC show held at Hove Town Hall.

Kyle Logan gave it his all against local Hove boxer Conner James. Kyle, who continues to improve with every bout had to settle for a points loss on this occasion, but gained more valuable experience.

The two boys are set for a return on the 4th April when Kyle (pictured above) is determined to turn the tables - it looks set to be an exciting rematch.

Next up, Paddy McMahon's winning run came to a temporary halt when he lost a tight majority decision to Abdul Mohammad of Earlsfield.

Third to box was Shaun Attrell, who put in another excellent display after his 1st round stoppage of J. McGarvie, to secure a unanimous points victory over a quality opponent in Ricky Boylan of Earlsfied.

Fourth to box was Fred Phelps who took on Whitehawk's own Sharif Haider in front of a very partisan crowd. Fred stepped into the Lion's den and soon silenced Haider's rawcas support with a short right that connected sweetly putting the local laid squarely on his backside.

Unfortunately Fred did not follow up to finish the fight in the style he is so capable of doing and let his foe off the hook.

Haider fought back gamely to take a unanimous points victory - I am sure both lads and would be keen for a rematch.

Last bout of the night saw West Hill's Adam Haniver take a unanimous points victory over Waterlooville's Ryan Moore. Adam boxed calmly and was in control throughout, catching his shorter opponent with precision uppercuts as he came in - an excellent bout to finish the show.

02/03/2007 - Romford

Club captain Barry Buchanan was the only West Hill representative to fight on the Romford show but boy did he do himself and the club proud by battling his way to a majority points win over combined services champion and ABA 1/4 finalist David Robinson.

Barry's will soon have his 50th bout for the club - a superb milestone for a very likeable, dedicated young man! (Picture below kindly provided by Eric Guy)

03/03/2007 - Henfield

Saturday 3rd March, 6 West Hill boys were set to box on Horsham ABC's show at Henfield Sports Centre, unfortunately Simon Powell's opponent did not turn up, a plight that Simon more than any other has suffered from this season - as always he took it well and stayed to support his club team mates.

1st to box was Kyle Logan who was having a rematch with Horsham's own Luke Greenfield, it was a good bout, Kyle boxed very well but suffered what many believed to be debatable points loss. Kyle took it on the chin as is the only way and was first to congratulate his opponent who like Kyle is a very pleasant modest lad - we hope both boys go a long way!

Next to box was Steve Hill, who was determined to keep his unbeaten record intact against P. Harthen of Kingfisher ABC, in a tight bout southpaw Harthen pushed Steve all the way, but Steve stuck in to secure a majority points win.

After the fight Steve had just enough energy left to try and break the World static high jump record, but came up just short - see below.

Third to box Jake "Towsey" Towse was slow to get into his rhythm after a lay off through illness against his durable opponent, Jason Townsend of Hove ABC.

In workmanlike fashion Jake managed to dig deep and grind out a unanimous point victory in a tight bout. Both boys will no doubt want a rematch at some point in the future.

In the 4th bout involving a West Hill boxer Fred Phelps (pictured below) took on and unanimously beat highly respected Ed Lawrence of Moulescombe ABC.

Fred's display of controlled power punching was a joy to watch. He continued remorselessly for 3 rounds firing shots to both head and body from all angles. Ed's conditioning served him well as lesser mortals would have gone down under such pressure.

Both lads share the same ambition to start university later this year and were supportive of one another's ambition when chatting after the bout - we wish them both well.

Last but certainly not least was debutante Senior Joe Silver who faced local boy J. Wood of Horsham. Joe got off to a flying start catching Wood with some ferocious shots to force a standing count in the 1st and 2nd round before taking a count himself in the 2nd.

It was nip and tuck with Joe holding the advantage going into the last 20 seconds of the bout, fatigue was fast setting in and hands were being carried a little lower than perfect when Joe walked onto 2 thumping right hands which sent his senses reeling and drew the fight to a premature conclusion. Well done to Woods who ripped victory from the jaws of defeat, by showing great determination.

Don't worry Joe - It happens to the very best - chin up!