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Issue #15

Welcome to issue #15 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"

Rees Hopcraft Referee brothers Rees and Peter Hopcraft are on hand to answer your questions.

Between Rees (pictured left) and Peter there is very little that will go unanswered so don't hesitate to send your questions via email to:

info@westhill-boxing.com

All questions and answers will be published in this, our regular newsletters for the benefit of all.

This month's question was a 2nd question sent in by Andy, a concerned parent looking for sound advice.

Rees & Peter, in the same vein as my previous question, have you as a referee received any information in regard to a change in the rule regarding mouth guards. There are rumours that new rules are soon to be implemented but I cannot find any details?

Andy,

Thanks for your query and it is one that is in an ambiguous area but really shouldn't’t be. The rules of the ABAE, Under Rule 5, Paragraph K ‘DRESS’ state that “Red Gum shields are forbidden.” (Having viewed your question to you do not specify the ‘rule’ you query so I will try and cover it all!)

The reason that red gum shields are forbidden is because it would make it harder for the referee to spot blood in the mouth. Personally speaking, if a boxer was bleeding from the mouth then it will be spotted, red gum shield or not, but the rule is there for a reason, and that is for internal injuries. A boxer could take a punch to the stomach, ribs, throat, or kidneys, for example, and could be bleeding internally, and not wishing for the bout to be stopped could be swallowing blood, Down You Go which could have fatal consequences. Boxers are sometimes too brave for their own good!!

The ambiguity lies in the multi coloured gum shield which seems to be becoming more fashionable. If there is red in it, then it is not allowed. This poses a problem for the referee and the OIC at ringside. You may have a boxer in the ring ready to go and his shield has red in it. The referee, as I have done in the past, would inform the OIC and ask for permission to continue, which is usually granted with a warning to the boxer to change his shield for the next contest. Again, the St Georges cross responsibility lies with the referee because the coaches do not know the rules. So no red in gum shields please coaches, even if it is the cross of Saint George or the Union Jack!! If the boxer fails to heed the advice and meets a different referee in the next bout then he might get away with it again – sadly the fault of his coaches – until he comes up against the original referee again, which is likely at local level, and if it were me (and I remembered) then the boxer would be out until another gum shield could be found and as far I would be concerned it would then be a problem for the OIC.

With gum shields coming out of the mouth during a contest. If the referee deems it to be accidental then the Gum shield on the way out shield is washed and replaced (note I always make the opposing corner do it so no coaching can take place and no advantage is gained). If the referee deems it has been spat out on purpose then it is an illegal manoeuvre, and 2 cautions and subsequent warning will result if done three times. You cannot spit your gum shield out if you want a rest under any circumstances. If you are in serious trouble and a referee sees it as an obvious move of a boxer wanting ‘out’ then it is likely he will stop the bout.

As for receiving new information about any rulings, the answer is, sadly, no. Rule changes are made without informing the ‘grass roots’ referees, and this is something which greatly concerns me. Indeed, as an example, I was given the rule change regarding standing counts for juniors and females (2 in a round, 3 in a bout) by the OIC upon my arrival at a show whilst I was getting changed. Laughable as it may seem, this is the way it seems to be. I periodically view the ABAE and AIBA web sites but other than that I have no correspondence from the ABAE, I have asked other officials and they say the same.

Hope this helps – Good luck for the season

Rees Hopcraft

"Boxing Action "

The Grange Show, Margate - Oct 12th:

Three West Hill lad's, Kyle Logan, Ben White and Barry Buchanan boxed on the Grange Show, held at the Winter Gardens Margate on October 12th along with Terry Freeman Of ATHA, Bexhill who with his coach Mike Turner hitched a lift.

It was a good night for both clubs as the lads recorded 4 wins from 4. Kyle boxed well and proved to strong for The Reach ABC's G. Smith winning by a unanimous points decision. Ben White continued to go from strength to strength extending his winning streak over the home club's Jordan Evans, reversing a previous loss to even the head to head score. Ben won by a majority points decision.

Bazza, Kyle and Ben

Barry Buchanan bounced back in convincing fashion after a previously disappointing display by his own high standards in his last bout to win well (unanimous points win) against Michael Reenee of Ramsgate ABC

Terry all but stopped his opponent in the 1st round giving him 2 standing counts but finally had to settle for a unanimous points win.

Ashford ABC - Oct 14th:

Ashford ABC organised an excellent morning of skills bouts that we were pleased to attend with some of our stars of the future. It was a very well organised event that offered valuable experience for those who participated.

Pictured below from left to right are Ryan, Henry, George, Tyron, Finn, Rhys, Dan, Joe and Conner

Stars of the future

Whitstable ABC Show Kings Hall Herne Bay - Oct 19th:

For the second show in succession the club had 3 boys boxing on one show, this time at Whitstable ABC's Show held in the Kings Hall, Herne Bay, Kent.

First to box was Dennis Buchanan against an older and far more experienced well schooled opponent in Richard Smart of Corby Olympic ABC. Dennis was unfazed and boxed to his very high potential to win by a clear margin on all 3 judges score cards.

Next to box was Shaun Attrell, it was Shaun's 1st bout of the season, and he wanted to continue the rich vein of form in which he ended the previous season, when he was all but unstoppable securing the club's best senior boxer award.

Shaun However it was not to be as Shaun's timing was slightly off against an accomplished opponent in Scott Burrell of Peacock ABC, who was ready and able to take advantage of any small mistake Shaun made - Scott winning the bout by a majority points decision over 4 X 2 minutes rounds.

Last to box was Kellen Leimetter against Hermin Qudir of Tonbridge Wells ABC. Kellen as talented and Kell committed a novice as you will ever find was looking for his first win.

Unfortunately as has been Kell's luck previously he met another opponent inspired to box out of his skin on the night and he lost on a unanimous points decision.

It's only a matter of time Kell, good things come to he who waits, keep up the good work!

Horchurch & Elm Park ABC Show Romford - Oct 26th:

The club had 4 boys boxing at the Hornchurch & Elm Park Show on October 26th. They were debutantes Henry Ball Young Henry (Junior) and Carl Turner (Senior), Ollie Bristow and James McMahon.

Young Henry Ball simply could not have began his boxing career in finer style! In tidy fashion Henry stopped his opponent Nico Smith of Chelmsford ABC in his very first round of competitive. Well done Henry, keep up the Ollie good work.

Ollie Bristow was up against Sean Londers of Hornchurch & Elm Park ABC, Ollie started slowly and suffered a heavy bleed from his nose during the bout, however nothing stops Ollie, he is an incredibly game and resilient boxer and he was coming back strongly into the contest before he took a few too many shots and the referee decided he had seen James enough and stopped the contest. Ollie was obviously disappointed but remained philosophical and is hoping for a return bout in the near future.

James needed a warm up bout before his Junior semi final bout on November 10th and as such was matched against Ricki Attreed of Hornchurch & Elm Park ABC. James started slowly and did not get into his stride until the 2nd round, but he finished strongly to Carl take a majority points decision.

Senior debutante Carl Turner couldn't match young Henry's feat but still won well by a unanimous points decision against Ben Weaver again of Hornchurch & Elm Park ABC.

Southern Counties vs Western Counties Junior Novice ABA 1/4 Finals - Bideford Devon - Oct 27th

With James McMahon receiving a walkover through this the 1/4 final stage at Class A under 63Kg it was left to his two club mates Enrik Rrukaj, Class A under 54Kg and Jake Towse, Class A under 60Kg to win through to ensure the West Hill was well represented in the semi final stage.

Enrik was first to box against former Golden Belt finalist Steven Fox of Bideford ABC. Enrik boxed well and pushed his opponent onto his back foot several times with some excellent combinations in the first 2 rounds but Fox, both a game and tidy boxer rallied well through the later stages to take a unanimous victory.

Enrik and Jake

It was left to Jake Towse to ensure James would have company at the semi final stage. Jake left no room for error and secured his place with a convincing unanimous points victory over Western Counties and Launceston ABC's Jameel Sandham, who was hoping to emulate his brother's achievement of 2006 by reaching the final stages. Both lads demonstrated excellent technique and proved to be fine exponents of the art of boxing.