Amateur Boxing - Hastings West Hill

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9th June 2007

West Hill ABC planned to emulate the successes of yesteryear by presenting the biggest night of boxing Hastings had experienced in over 20 years.

The White Rock having been the venue for some of the greatest fights seen anywhere on the South Coast was fittingly chosen as the venue - It was certainly a popular choice as the event was completely sold out a week prior to the first punch being thrown. The event was a hugely ambitious undertaking and was Janie Brashill and Claudia Schindler only made possible by the voluntary efforts of all involved, led by West Hill fund raiser Denise Attrell.

Denise quite literally had a part in every aspect of the organisation and was relentless in ensuring the event would be a success - Your commitment remains an inspiration to us all Denise.

Head coach and matchmaker Dave Bishop had the responsibility of ensuring a solid selection of evenly matched quality bouts to fill the show - No small task so close to the end of the season, however Dave rose to the challenge and delivered 14 superb bouts all of highest standard, of which one was a first - an International Senior Female Jack Glover and Kyle Logan contest between 2 National Champions.

The show's MC was one of Hastings and West Hill's favourite sons Dave Harris. Dave along with his lifelong friend Johnny Gray, both former coaches at the West Hill, never miss an opportunity to support the West Hill - Nobody does the job of MC better than Dave and as you read through the show report you will appreciate that Dave expertise was called upon to keep the crowd amused while running repairs to the ring were required, he did so without so with consummate ease and style - Thanks Dave, great job.

The following local businesses generously sponsored the event, ensuring it would be a night to remember:-

Something for the weekend, Sir? Gentlemen's Barber
Deeks Evans Chartered Accountants
John and Jean Gray Haulage
The Antiques Warehouse Ltd
Broxbourne Plant Ltd
Bob Bristow & Sons Westfield Aggregates, Plant & Grab, Lorry Hire.

While other businesses ensured advertising revenue covered additional costs, those being:-

Johnny Swan Fishmonger
Browers Antiques & Modern Furniture
Roomings
Cobblers Of The Old Town
The Lilac Room
Shirley Leaf & Petal Company
Maggies Cafe
Nelson House Antiques
Ye Olde Pump House
Royal Standard

Many Thanks John Special thanks also go to both Bob Bristow and Spin City Cycles for donating some incredibly generous raffle prizes, The Geekery, Top Flight , Jay Weaver, Warriorboxing.com, Ian Porter and his partner Carol for their continued support and Hastings Mayor Maureen Charlesworth who very kindly presented the boxers with their trophies.

Many thanks Paul It goes without saying that no boxing event would ever be a success without the support of the officials, judges and referees. In Sussex we are very lucky to have some of the most supportive officials nationwide and cannot thank them enough for the job they do - The officiating was of the very highest standard as per usual, many thanks - We hope we can continue to keep you busy for the foreseeable future by hosting at least 2 home shows each year.

Final words of thanks of course must go to all the boxers and coaches who attended and the clubs they represent, those being:-

Adur District ABC - Lancing, West Sussex
ATHA ABC - Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex
Brighton City ABC - Brighton, Sussex
Canterbury ABC - Canterbury, Kent
Club Zurich ABC - Zurich, Switzerland
Finchley & District ABC - North West London
Harringey ABC - North West London
Horsham ABC - Horsham, West Sussex
Kirkby ABC - Liverpool, Merseyside
New Addington ABC - South East London
Stacy ABC - Portsmouth, Hampshire


Show Report
Austin Botting Horsham ABC	Steve Hill Westhill ABC (Junior)
The 1st bout of the evening was a very tight junior contest of 3 X 1 1/2 minute rounds that set a high standard for the rest of the boxers to follow. Either boy could have got the nod but it went to Austin Botting of Horsham ABC by a majority points decision - The first of 3 wins from 3 bouts for the West Sussex club.

Aaron Lowery Canterbury ABC	Dave Warren Westhill ABC
The 2nd bout was a senior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds. Aaron had a prior engagement booked for the evening in question but rather than pull out he requested he box early in order that he could make both appointments and not let anyone down - Thank you Aaron that's real commitment. The bout itself was incredibly close - Aaron was the more physically robust of the 2 men, forcing the pace throughout. Dave combated Aaron's obvious strength advantage with some canny switch hitting off the back foot which rewarded him the tightest of majority point decisions.

Jack Glover Kirkby ABC	Kyle Logan Westhill ABC
Bout 3 was a cracking junior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds between two stars of the future. Jack had traveled all the way down from Mersyside to participate, something for which we are very grateful. Having come so far he wasn't intent on going home without a win. In Kyle, he met an opponent who won't roll over easily. Kyle dug in resiliently to push Jack all the way to his unanimous points victory. For many it was bout of the night, it was certainly a classic - These boys will certainly meet again in years to come at the highest level.

Michael Andrews Stacy ABC	Jake Towse Westhill ABC
Bout 4 a junior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds was the only bout that didn't run smoothly - Literally seconds before the 1st bell the top rope splice sprung open rendering the ring unfit for boxing. Dave Harris, MC asked the boys to leave the ring while repair was undertaken, he then kept the crowd entertained reciting boxing stories before introducing the audience to some of Hastings most accomplished boxers of years gone by, Freddy Frewin, George Doolan, Mick Richford and Brian Robinson to name but a few. After a delay of 25 minutes the show recommenced - both lads should be commended for remaining focused on the task at hand and performing well after such a long disruption. Jake's educated boxing gave him the nod by a unanimous points decision over Michael, a strong unorthodox opponent.

James Gallagher Finchley& District ABC	Luke Destin Westhill ABC
Bout 5 was a junior bout of 3 X 2 minute rounds. Both lads were strong come forward boxers which meant at first things got a little tied up, however it was Luke who was faster in making the appropriate adjustments and deservedly went on to win by a unanimous point decision.

Ben Butler Adur District ABC	Ollie Bristow Westhill ABC
Bout 5 another junior bout of 3 X 2 minute rounds was another contender for bout of the night, Ollie as is his trademark forced the pace never taking a step backward. Ben met the "Ollienator" head on, and with some smart boxing and neat footwork, it was Ben who claimed a unanimous points decision in what proved to be a crowed pleasing bout.

Shane Weston Horsham ABC	Bruce Lawson Westhill ABC
Bout 7 a senior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds saw the biggest turn around of the evening. Bruce returned to the ring for the first time in nearly a year stepping through the ropes as a Senior for the 1st time. His 1st round display was nothing short off breath taking. Shane obviously hadn't read the script though and poured forward in the 2nd making sure his physical prowess counted, he began to wear down Bruce's defence with some hefty bombs and went onto force a stoppage in the (RSC) 3rd as a lack of ring fitness caught up with Bruce.

Ashley Wright Adur District ABC	Kellen Leimetter Westhill ABC
Bout 8 a Senior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds saw Kellen looking for his 1st win in 3 outings against a more experienced opponent. Kell whose record does not do his skills or commitment justice found Ashley just that bit to clever on this occasion - A good performance from Ashley who took a clear decision on a unanimous point verdict. The bout was followed by the Interval - A well deserved break.

Claudia Schindler Club Zurich	Janie Brashill Brighton City ABC
Bout 9 the 1st bout after the interva, was a 1st for Hastings - An International Female Senior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds contested between 2 National Champions. Janie got off to a good start and held the advantage at the end of the 1st round but Claudia came back strongly in both the 2nd and 3rd rounds and secured victory with unanimous points decision - Well done Janie on your recent fund raising efforts to fund International competition, and thank you Claudia for rising to the challenge so far from home soil.

Joseph Wood Horsham ABC	Terry Freeman ATHA ABC
Bout 10 a senior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds was the shortest contest of the entire show! Terry very popular with the crowd aimed to please and caught Joseph with an almighty left hook at the beginning of the 1st round, sensing victory Terry rushed forward to finish the job to meet the end of a "Rhino" stopping straight right delivered with perfect precision that drew the fight to an instant conclusion (RSCH1). Terry took a little while to come to his senses but was soon back on good form and will no doubt bounce back in the near future.

Billy Moy Finchley & District ABC	Robert Matthews Stacy ABC
Bout 11 a senior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds was another cracker with boys from London and Portsmouth going to head to head. It was an excellent display of boxing skill vs tenacity. Both boys should be proud of their performance. Billy boxed superbly while Robert dug in and fought courageously right to the last bell. Billy won by a unanimous points decision.

Danny Coates New Addington ABC	Billy White Westhill ABC
Bout 12 was a senior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds that almost brought the roof down. The two men entered the ring to the sound of Ron Goodwin's Dam Buster Film track "633 Squadron" which had whipped the crowd into a near frenzy. Both boxers got into the spirit from the offset and starting throwing bombs of their own and didn't stop until the bell went at the end of 3rd. The bout ebbed and flowed one way and then the other, a truly classic contest that Bill was proud to win by a unanimous points decision.

Charlie Dain ATHA ABC	Fred Phelps Westhill ABC
Bout 13 another senior contest of 3 X 2 minute rounds pitched two friends from nearby clubs (Hastings Westhill ABA and Besxhill ATHA ABC) together for the 1st time. With both their opponents pulling out it was a case of box each other or remain a spectator, for both boxing was the only option having strong support in the audience they were not about to let their supporters down. As expected once in the ring friendship was put aside and it was down to business. Both lads gave it their all but Fred steadily took control of the fight cleverly boxing his way past Charlie's explosive left hook and claimed a unanimous points decision victory.

Erik Ochieng Harringey PCC	Barry Buchanan Westhill ABC
Bout 14, the last of the show was a senior contest at Welterweight of 4 X 2 minute rounds. Barry came under heavy fire in the opener and it looked as if Erik was determined to secure another quick win, something he specializes in doing - It didn't get any better for Barry who suffered a cut by his right eye that required inspection by the doctor - luckily he was given the OK to continue. In the 2nd round Erik continued his onslaught but Barry was getting wise and seemed to have weathered the storm countering with some good combinations. In the 3rd Barry had substantially narrowed the gap and it seemed was set to turn the tide in his favour but Erik was not to be denied hurting Barry with some crunching body shots in the last round and although Barry hung in till the end he couldn't stop Erik being awarded victory by a unanimous points decision.

Bout Of The Show
There were several candidates for the "Bout Of The Night Award" most noticeably Jack Glover vs Kyle Logan, Ben Butler vs Ollie Bristow, Charlie Dain vs Fred Phelps and Erik Ochieng vs Barry Buchanan all boxers should be commended for their efforts however the winning bout by popular choice was the Battle of the Big Bombers Danny Coates vs Billy White.

Pictures were kindly supplied by Jay Weaver and Lee Greenwood

9th June 2007

Show Report

Bout Of The Show