Issue #21

Welcome to issue #21 of Hastings Westhill ABC's newsletter.

The newsletter is published on an, as and when basis so check back regularly or join our mailing list and we will keep you informed when new updates are uploaded.

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

"Breaking News "

Steve Hill will be boxing in the National Final of the Class A U66Kg Junior ABA Novice competition at the 5 Star Gym, Romford on Saturday 22nd November 2008.

"Home Show"

Our next home show will be held on:

Sat 29th nov 2008

Bexhill Athletic Club,
Little common Road,
Bexhill-on-sea,
East Sussex,
TN39 4HU.

For matching call Dave on 07834874912

"Boxing Trivia"

The Longest Count

In a legendary heavyweight bout in September 1927, Gene Tunney met Jack Dempsey in the ring to defend his title.

Jack Dempsey pounded Gene Tunney (the man who had taken his title) to the canvas in the 7th round.

Dempsey however made a fatal mistake, lingering to gloat over his battered foe. Referee Dave Barry, enforcing a brand-new neutral-corner rule, ordered Dempsey to a corner several different times and in doing so took an estimated 17 seconds to reach a nine-count on Tunney, who, by that time, was back on his feet.

A revived Tunney floored Dempsey in the next round and successfully defended his heavyweight title, winning on points.

Don't be over confident!

The 37–0 Mike Tyson, overweight, overconfident, and under trained, stepped into the ring against 43 to 1 underdog Buster Douglas.

By the 10th round Mike was lying flat on the canvas, and Douglas was the new heavyweight champion of the world - Never under estimate your opponent!

Tidbit you may not know: Midway through the pummeling, Tyson's face started to swell — but Tyson's over confident corner men hadn't bothered to bring ice. They filled a condom with bucket water and applied it to Mike's face, but the damage was done."

"Boxing Action "

Southern Counties vs Combined Services Oct 2nd 2008

Dennis Buchanan represented the Southern Counties when he boxed Steve Sweeney of the Army at Maida Barracks, Aldershot on Oct 2nd - A show in aid of servicemen injured in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Dennis boxed well and was unfortunate to suffer a majority points loss to a worthy opponent, however Dennis was philosophical, as the priority was to help raise funds and awareness for the men and women who had served with courage in foreign lands.

Hove ABC Show Hilton Metropole Hove Oct 4th 2008

Steve Garlick was in action against Jesse Burgess of local boxing club Hove ABC - Steve lost a close majority points decision.

Whitstable ABC Show Herne Bay Oct 10th 2008

Still looking for our first win of the season we took 4 boxers to the Whitstable show on October 10th, unfortunately our luck wasn't about to change!

Henry Bristow having his first ever bout against fellow debutante Joshua Smith of Whitstable ABC kept his composure and boxed very tidally, but lost on a unanimous points decision to the local lad.

Kyle Logan who was possibly ahead at the time on points was caught flush by a huge left hook from opponent Darren Mongan of Bromley and Downham ABC that prompted the referee to stop the contest in the 3rd round.

Ben White followed and boxed superbly, but didn't get the decision we hoped for against George Jupp of Bromley and Downham ABC losing by a unanimous points verdict.

Finally Steve Garlick who boxed Liam Webb of Whitstable ABC was also disappointed not to have received better, losing a majority points decision, which rounded of a frustrating evening.

Adur ABC Show Worthing 18th Oct 2008

All hopes were pinned on Gary White's charge Conner Sime to deliver the club's first victory of the season, but it wasn't to be as Conner came up short against Halsham ABC's J. Lamprell and lost on a unanimous points decision.

By this time the coaches were starting to have great sympathy for Juande Ramos as like Totenham they weren't getting the results they had expected.

Junior Novices Bognor 19th Oct and 16th Nov 2008

Cometh the hour cometh the man, no not Harry Rednap but Steve "The Thrill" Hill.

Steve delivered the club's first win of the season when wining the Southern Counties title against Swanley ABC's Jamie McLoughlin.

Steve was well ahead when the referee's patience ran out and McLoughlin was disqualified in the 3rd round for consistently holding.

Steve's win propelled him all the way to the national semi final held at the Lawrence ABC Gym, Lymington Hampshire on the 16th November where he faced London champion, William Lumley of Finchley ABC.

Steve started brilliantly and was 3-0 up after the 1st round, at the end of the 2nd however he had been pegged back to just a one point advantage, leading 5-4. Steve's trainer Paul Martin urged Steve to dig in, and that's exactly what he did in the 3rd to secure a 9-6 victory.

Steve will be boxing in the National Junior Novice Class A U66Kg final at the 5 Star Gym, Romford on the 22nd Nov 2008 - Good Luck Steve.

Senior Novices PreLims Southampton 26th Oct 2008

Jake Towse continued in the winning vain in the Southern Counties Senior Novice Class B U60Kg category.

Jake had to box twice in one day, something he seems destined to do every time he enters a competition, as this was the 3rd occasion he had experienced such a scenario. Like the previous 2 occasions Jake won both bouts first dispatching a very game Eddie Ayres of Margate ABC before securing a place in the final by defeating Golden Belt champion Kingsley Walker of Portsmouth University ABC in what was a technically superb bout between 2 very accomplished boxers.

Best mate Enrik Rrukaj joined Jake in the Southern Counties final to be held on the 31st, hosted by Margate ABC.

Senior Novices Finals Birchington 31st Oct 2008

Enrik was first to box in the Class B U 57Kg Southern Counties final against the accomplished Adam Cutler of Golden ring ABC. Enrik put in a stellar performance in what was an evenly contested bout.

Both coaches, Dave Bishop for Hastings Westhill ABC and Stuie Gill of Golden Ring ABC agreed that both lads deserved to win but of course that isn't an option and there had to be an outright winner, which on this occasion was Adam by them tightest of majority decisions - Best of luck in the next round Adam from all at the Westhill ABC.

In the very next bout Jake Towse was up Dave Murphy of Brighton City ABC in the final of the Class B U60Kg.

Dave was enjoying a good run having stopped 2 of his previous 3 opponents, one of which was highly regarded Golden Belt champion Mat Goddard of Reading ABC.