The Arena Boxing Club had 8 boxers competing in a total of 14 blistering bouts including the skills bout on Saturday evening at the Highcliff Marriott Hotel in Bournemouth.
Michael Badger looked the more dominant and stronger in his first skills bout against Harvey Ward from (Horseshoe ABC).
Bailey Ward got a points win in a nonstop action packed bout for all 3 rounds against Freddie Woodcock (Horseshoe ABC).
Liam Anderson won unanimously totally dominating Olly Miller (City of Portsmouth ABC) from start to finish in all three round’s.
Marianne Michael & Izzy Baker Wilding (Photo: Angelika Glapiak)
Marianne Michael was just edged out by her London based opponent Izzy Baker Wilding (Putney ABC), but showed excellent work-rate against a boxer who came charging out at the start of each round.
Another exciting performance was Arena’s Ethan Maddocks who had his first bout in 18 months, earning a great win with a strong performance against his Swindon based opponent Owen Sutton (Horseshoe ABC), even forcing a couple of standing counts during the bout.
Luke Anderson put in a super strong performance stepping up against, not only a late replacement, but also the Undefeated Welsh Novice Champion Joe Smith (Caerfau Ely BC). Despite Luke not getting the decision his performance will give him valuable experience going into the International Haringey Cup.
Ellis Head won a closely fought contest against a very determined lad from Oxford, Atheq Ahmed (Blackbird Leys), utilising some strong counter-punching in all 3 rounds, but as both boxers began to tire from the intense pace, it was Ellis’s determination that appeared to edge it.
Finally Charlie Redmond Smith having his first bout in 12 months fought in one of the most exciting bouts of the night winning a closely fought contest against Charlie Cowley (Yeovil ABC). Both being big tall boxers it was our Charlie’s elusive movement and counter punching and great use of the ropes which shone through.
Charlie’s fantastic performance earned him the Scott Wilks Trophy (Scott was a former teenage boxer for the club who sadly died a few years ago), for best Arena performance of the night, which was presented by Scott’s father Alfie Wilks.
To put the final gloss on this successful event Raven Chapman was there showing off her latest acquisition the National Elite Championships belt.
After the event Arena offered thanks to all the friends & family of their club, England Boxing, all the guests and supporters that made such a terrific atmosphere showing their passion, generosity & support in not only helping keep our great little club going, but also by the sportsmanship and adulation shown to ALL the clubs and boxers that took part last night, a credit to themselves and to Amateur Boxing.
They also thanked each & every boxer who laced on the gloves for providing such an exciting and entertaining Evening. They said: ‘Win, Lose or Draw you are all champions and a outstanding testament to all the hard work & dedication you and you coaches put in.’
Report courtesy of the Arena Boxing Club
Photos courtesy of Angelika Glapiak
