Henry Bristow LUPts J Mejer of Five Star ABC.

Henry was unlucky not to win, if he had upped his work rate he would have certainly have secured his first victory. A marked improvement as Henry continues to progress.

Steve Garlick WRSC3 B. Redman of Chalvedon ABC.

A superb display of all round boxing from Steve – He continues to improve and has an exiting future ahead. Coach Gary White is delighted with Steve's continued progression.

Fred Phelps LUPts S Douglas of Chadwell.

Fred’s first bout for the club in over a year found him a little short of fighting fit, however he fought with the heart of a lion to see him through the bout and push Douglas all the way, ending the bout completely drained – Fred gave his all but came up slightly short.

National NACYP Sussex Kent Bucks Surrey at Guildford - Sat 31st Jan

The club could not be more proud of the spirit shown by 3 of our boxers at the CYP championships. James McMahon, Kyle Logan and Jake Towse participated in 3 of the best bouts club boxers have been involved in this season.

Class C 64 – 69Kg 1/2 Final (4 X 2 min) Born 1990/91 James McMahon LUPts Jordan Dennis of Brompton ABC.

James was giving away age and experience to former national champion and recent England select Jordan Dennis. During the bout James suffered a considerable swelling under his left eye that would have put paid to his chances of boxing in the final had he prevailed. He also incurred 2 standing counts but still managed to push Dennis all the way and have his opponent in difficulty at times - James put up the fight of his life!

Class A 57 - 60Kg Final (3 X 2 min) Born 1993 Kyle Logan LUPts Felix Cash Guildford City ABC

Kyle took on recently crowned Junior Novice champion Felix Cash in what was to be a stand out performance for Kyle. Cash deservedly secured the win with his cleaner shots but was forced to extend himself as Kyle doggedly tried to push Cash onto the back foot. Kyle showed resilience determination guts and guile in what was his best performance this season.

Class A 66 – 70 Kg Final (3 X 2 min) Born 1993 Steve Hill and Les Connelly Guildford City ABC were both disqualified in the first round.

An unacceptable and unsavoury incident prompted the referee to disqualify both boxers in the 1st round. Both boxers will hopefully learn from the experience and progress.

Class C 57 – 60Kg Final (4 X 2 min) Born 199/91 Jake Towse WUPts Jake Woods Guildford City ABC.

Jake Towse was pitched against Jake Woods. The two lads both 1991 born had met previously last season at the Hastings White Rock Pavilion on our home show, on that occasion Towse had secured a hard fought points win over 4 rounds. Woods obviously wanted revenge and really went for it, both boys ripping into each other from the 1st bell. The action didn’t slow through the entire 4 rounds, the crowd loving every minute of an enthralling bout. After 2 equal rounds Towse started to edge the action in the 3rd and took Woods to task in the 4th landing powerful shots to both head and body. Woods determined not to be out done tried to force Towse onto the back foot but Towse was having none of it and dominated the final minute’s action. Jake will be boxing in the next round against the winner from the Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk region at the Army’s Maida Barracks Aldershot on Saturday 14th Feb.

Haddenham Dinner Show - Sat 7th Feb

On Saturday 7th February, 3 coaches and 4 boxers braved the cold and a 250 mile round trip to attend the prestigious Haddenham ABC dinner show held near the home club’s base in Haddenham Cambridgeshire. An added incentive for the boxers was that recently crowned Super Middle weight Champion Carl Froch was in attendance to present trophies and offer advice.

Unfortunately once the dust had settled and action was over, the mood on the journey home was one of frustration and disappointment. Alistair Waller who is fast approaching his 34th birthday, that will see an end to his amateur career as per ABA rules state, weighed in spot on the agreed fighting weight to find his opponent weighed in over 4 Kg heavy resulting in the bout being scratched before a single punch was thrown.

Of the three remaining boys Enrik Rrukaj was first to box against recently crowned NACYP regional U54 Kg champion B Jenkinson of Bracebridge ABC. Enrik started well and was on top in the 1st round before walking into an uppercut that caused his nose to bleed profusely. The continuous bleed had an effect and Enrik’s work rate dropped allowing Jenkinson back into the bout. Enrik boxed gamely to the end of the scheduled four rounds but found himself on the wrong end of a majority point’s decision.

Next up was Kyle Logan pitched against local boy Jesse Smith over 3 x 2 min rounds. The bout was a scrappy affair with Smith being allowed to push Logan to the ropes before bending him backwards over the top rope while continuing to deliver punches. After the bout the ring technicians were asked to tighten the ropes but many watching didn’t feel that was the main problem and questioned why Smith’s actions were allowed to go unabated.

Last to box was Fred Phelps, boxing for the second time in just 7 days. Fred having returned to the club after a year long break is steadily regaining his ring fitness and put in an improved performance against Jake Sinclair of Bracebridge ABC. Sinclair a neat and tidy boxer secured a points victory over 3 X 2 min rounds, however Fred was starting to dominate in the 3rd round so a return bout potentially over 4 rounds would be very interesting.