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22/04/2008
Brighton city are on the up
The future of amateur boxing in East Sussex is looking bright as one of region's clubs celebrates success among its growing ranks.
Head coach Brian Harvey says that for the first time in its history the club has ten carded boxers, with several more in the process of getting carded and twenty two bouts scheduled before the season is out.
The club is also in advanced negotiations to relocate. Brighton City currently share a small gym at the king Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove, but plans to demolish the Centre to make way for flats, as well as growing numbers at the club, means the search for a new home is now on.
Brian says: "After much begging and networking we have been offered a larger facility within a local school, a permanent home we can call our own."
The club is already home to established boxers such as exciting Sussex ABA welter representative Phil Navichas and female national middleweight champion (and England representative) Janie Brashill.
Brian says progress this season has been great: "There's a great team spirit in the club and the gym is buzzing. The strength in depth can only help the boxers in terms of better sparring which is I've noticed in the performances in recent bouts."
celebrating at the Bristol show, back l-r: Rich Kaplan, Janie Brashill,
Phil Navichas, Brian Harvey. Front l-r: Ishaq Karimi, Jamie Leake,
Adam Wright,Dave Murphy, Tom and Sean Murphy
The camaraderie and ability of the club's boxers was visible when a 12 strong team travelled 180 miles to Bristol this month as part of the National Smelting Club ABC show.
Two of the clubs more experienced boxers lead the way. First up was Dave Murphy (62kg) who gave weight, age and experience to extremely tough and strong southpaw Terry Richards of Southmead. Murphy coped brilliantly with Richards and looked to be picking straight scoring shots. Richards took the win, but Harvey said: "It was a very close bout. Richards was a swarming, strong guy and Dave handled him well, but full respect to Richards who didn't stop coming forward."
Jamie Leake (64kg) made it three wins on the trot with a strong performance against Justin Cornwall of Taunton ABC. Leake used his non stop style to keep Cornwall on the back foot throughout, Jamie scored an eight count in the second round and was relentless, forcing a stoppage in the third. An impressed Harvey said: "That was easily Jamie's best performance, he's growing in confidence now I'm really pleased for him he's a great lad to have in the gym."
Eighteen-year-old Adam Wright (70kg) made his debut with an almost punch perfect performance that belied his inexperience. Wright worked behind an accurate jab and good footwork to ease to a points win over J Fisher of Trowbridge. "Ad looked fantastic at times", said Harvey. "The jab was great a real bout winner. It's early days but Wright looks like he could go far."
Other Results (winners in bold):-
Junior:-
1 Jerry Connors (NSC) v Joe Edwards (Trowbridge) (skills contest)
2 Blake Bowler (NSC) v Daniel Kimberley (Rubery)
3 Jake Musgrove (NSC) v Reece Conner (Gloucester) WON
4 John McDonagh (NSC) v Alex Kilworth (Watchett)
5 Tyler Davies (NSC) v Ben Stacy (Titans)
6 Brad Collingbourne (NSC) v James Hegney (Watchett)
7 Tom Connors (NSC) v Tyler Fox (Wells)
8 Jason Davies (NSC) v Connor Jones (Paignton)
9 Nathan Snow (NSC) v Matt Moore (Exeter)
Senior Contests:-
10 Terry Richards (Southmead) v Dave Murphy Brighton (Best Boxer, Best Sportsman)
11. Justine Cornall (Taunton) v Jamie Leake (Brighton)
12. Jo Ross (Southmead) v Andy Kerslake (Trowbridge)
13. Jack Fisher (Trowbridge) v Adam Wright (Brighton) WON
14. Tom Sage (Empire) v A. Kelly (Rubery)
Brian Harvey's charges will be kept busy as the club travels to Rayleigh ABC on 26th April, Sheerness ABC on 2nd May, Gosport on 3rd May, Hastings on 10th May, Hailsham at Gatwick Hilton on 17th May and The Haringey Box Cup from 6-8th June. A Brighton v Bristol show is also planned in Bristol on 12th June.