Night of boxing is bout of this world
IT'S official, the future of boxing on both sides of the Irish sea has never looked brighter!
Banbridge Leisure Centre’s main hall was transformed into a fantastic sporting area last Saturday night in what was a highly entertaining fight night with some of the most talented amateur boxers from England and Ireland on show, when Banbridge Boxing Club hosted Bury ABC.
In keeping with the ethos of amateur boxing both teams entertained the arena together to great applause. Led by a piper, they marched inside the ring to the sound of the ‘Star of the Co. Down’, much to the delight of the eager audience.
Bury were led by their head coach and renowned trainer, Mr Mick Jelly. Of course all eyes were scanning for a glimpse of the younger Khan, but sporting silver and white shorts Haroon was not too hard to find.
It was local 10-year-old Conor Martin from Banbridge ABC, who got proceedings off to a great start. Up against St. Malachy’s Eugene McKeever, sitting at mere 33kg, both boys worked hard and showed no signs of nerves in front of such a large audience.
Martin shaded the first round as he put his height and reach advantage to good use. Leading with his right jab, he was able to pick off his shots off. However, McKeever showed reserve, chasing Martin down, he worked the inside to good effect.
Moving in close to Martin the St. Malachy’s boy was able to fight his own fight at close range, picking up some valuable points.
With just one round remaining, both lads went all out to get as many points as possible. Conor just shaded the last round, despite a spirited comeback from young McKeever. Martin took the fight 4-3.
Next up for the local club was Peter Maughan who met Bury’s Omar Haque in the 60kg division. The Banbridge ABC boxer found himself on the defence from the bell sounded as Haque peppered him with straight shots, forcing Maughan on to the back foot.
However the Banbridge boxer used his agility, steering himself out of harms way and just as Haque took the first round Peter came back in the second.
Forcing Haque back he chose his shots carefully making each one count, closing the gap to a minimum. The third round, which would decide the fight, saw the taller and more experienced Haque work the ring and by the end of the 90 second round it was a tough call, but the Bury boxer emerged the winner by just one point (8-7).
Another promising boxer from Banbridge ABC and a favourite with the home crowd was Adam McBurney who met Philip Bigmore from Springhill ABC.
This was one of the fights that stood out on the night in an impressive display of guts and determination. Bigmore was the more aggressive of the two and wasted no time in becoming acquainted with McBurney as he greeted him with a sharp left hook that rocked the Newry Road lad.
It was clear that Bigmore wanted an early stoppage but McBurney absorbed some heavy blows to the body as he continued to mix it.
However in the remaining two rounds Adam started to use his reach and refused to be drawn in. As a result, he was able to control the fight and the centre of the ring, moving in only to get his shots away.
This worked to great effect as he managed to restrict Bigmore to shots on the arms and cloves, illustrating his boxing prowess. McBurney took the fight 5-2, but the fight was a lot closer than the score line suggested.
Baby Khan v Watsy
IT was the big draw name, Haroon Khan, tipped to be a future Commonwealth and Olympic contender versus Andrew Watson, a five time All-Ireland Champion who has also aspirations of Olympic glory, and this bout did not disappoint.
Khan entered the ring first, accompanied by his father, who was working his corner. Khan needed no introduction and standing at 5’8” and weighing 51kgs he looks very like his older brother Amir.
And, just in case there were those in the crowd that were left in any doubt as to who he was he was sporting sliver and white shorts with ‘Baby Khan’ etched on the front and back.
However, the entrance of the night had to go to Andrew ‘Watsy’ Watson. The 5’9”, 51kg teenager was accompanied by his father and brother and Watson’s entrance was greeted by deafening chants of “We want Watsy!” from the large travelling Lurgan crowd who were all on their feet.
As the bell sounded for the opening round both boxers were cautious, feeling the other out. Having already engaged in a close bout in Bury, which Khan won by two points, the Bury boxer looked more at ease.
It was by no means textbook boxing; in fact this contest got quite scrappy in stages but it was clear that these two very talented 17-year-olds had met before.
Spurred on by the home crowd Watson did not want to disappoint and was over zealous at stages. He used some great combinations, putting Khan on the back foot, but while Haroon didn’t throw as many punches he made every one count.
Referee Pat Girvan had to warn Watson about pulling on numerous occasions but there was no mistaking the heart that both boxers showed.
Trading shots, both lads fought toe to toe in the third trying to make every vital shot count. As the bell sounded indicating the end of the fight it is not clear whether Khan was pushed or slipped but he fell to the canvas much to the delight of Watson’s supporters.
It was Khan that emerged the winner, again, by the narrowest of margins 3-2 on count back. A truly fantastic contest that no doubt will play out as both men mature.
The heart of Bury ABC
MOST people outside of the boxing world would associate Mick Jelly as the man who guided Amir Khan to an Olympic silver medial in 2004 and his first Commonwealth title the year before that, but to a renowned boxing club such as Bury ABC and he is much more.
When you first meet Mick it is hard to reconcile his physical appearance with his laid back and gentle demeanour, of course I am not in the gym with him, but for a man that has been involved in Bury ABC for 42 years, he is in fantastic shape.
Extremely humble, Jelly’s passion for boxing has been unrelenting and takes pride in every boxer that pull on a Bury vest.
“It was my father who actually established Bury ABC and I took over from him over 42 years ago,” recalls Mick.
“Boxing has been such an important part of my life and the people that I have met the length and breadth of England and Ireland through it have been fantastic.
“The hospitality here in Banbridge and this venue has been something else and each one of the lads had a smashing time - this is what amateur boxing is all about!
“The way it brings people together from all walks of life, I mean even the squad that I have over with me, some of those lads don’t really have much and to get away, is a treat for them.
“On show tonight were some fantastic young lad who have but in so much hard work, week after week and year and after year.”
Jelly, who has been coming to Northern Ireland for years claims that both British and Irish boxing is fighting fit.
“I have been coming over to Ireland for the past 21 years with the club and have travelled all over the country, even when times were not so good here, The kindness of the Irish people and their passion for boxing has been something else.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Banbridge
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
