• ABA Home
 | 
• News Archive |
•  |
• April |
• News Items

16/04/2008

Three Nations - team manager's report

DAY ONE (10/04/08)

ASSEMBLY/TRAVEL

4pm: The Team assembled at The Etap Hotel, Sheffield and checked into their rooms. 

5pm: A check weigh-in occurred followed by evening meal at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) cafe.

7.30pm: I attended a meeting with my fellow team managers from Scotland and Wales. We clarified a 1kg weight allowance would be in order and that the tournament would be contested under AIBA rules. 

7.45pm: I conducted a full team meeting with all 49 boxers and 4 coaches present and explained the itinerary over the next 2/3 days and the standard of conduct that was to be expected from all boxers.

8.15pm: Boxers undertook a light training session in the EIS boxing hall and on the running track.

9pm: Boxers retired to their rooms at the Etap, showered and were all in bed by 10pm.

DAY TWO (11/04/08)

WEIGH IN/MEDICAL/DRAW

8am: The official weigh in was conducted with all English boxers making the stipulated weight, with the exception of Mohammad Hussein, who didn't weigh heavy enough to be included in the u63kg category (1994). All boxers successfully passed their medical examination. Boxers returned to the Etap for breakfast

9am: The team managers and OIC undertook the tournament draw.

10.30am: A Team meeting occurred at the EIS, with all boxers were notified of the draw and when they were due to box. 

Noon: Lunch was taken at the EIS.

1.30pm: The semi-finals got underway

Session 1 - 1995 semi finals (*all English boxers, unless stated)

Bout 1 

34kg Cory O'Regan lost to R. McFadden (Scotland) 7:11 

Cory's slow first slow start to the bout ultimately cost him the decision.

Bout 2 

34kg Archie Sharp beat J. Viscount (Wales) 8:5 

Archie, aka 'the baby faced assassin' demonstrated effective counterpunching skills on his way to victory.

Bout 3

36kg Adam Middleton beat J. Parry (Wales) 12:2

Southpaw Adam made good use of the ring on his way to a clear win.

Bout 4

36kg Christopher Farley beat C. McGregor (Scotland) 10:2

Chris was pushed all the way by a strong Scottish opponent.

Bout 5

38kg Tom Aitchison beat K. Cain (Scotland) 14:4

Tom's performance was one of the best in the session 1 semi-finals. He demonstrated an effective mobile style that frustrated his opponent.

Bout 6

40kg Jack Wood beat S. Ball (Scotland) 8:7

Jack's determined effort in the last round saw him edge the contest.

Bout 7

40kg Charlie Stevens beat J. Bather (Wales) 10:6

Charlie was forced to battle hard throughout all 3 rounds.

Bout 8

42kg Jake James lost to A.Cook (Wales) 2:5

Jake had the misfortune of encountering one of the more polished members of the Welsh team.

Bout 9

42kg Shane McDonagh beat D.McCutcheon (Scotland) 18:5

Southpaw Shane slipped shots and replied with classy counter punches, en route to victory.

Bout 10 

44kg Luke Parrock lost to N. Carey (Wales) 4:7

Luke struggled to overcome another capable Welsh lad.

Bout 11

48kg R. Bolton lost to K.Pring (Wales) 4:14

Ryan failed to find his rhythm in this contest.

Bout 12

50kg Simon Baker beat A. Laing (Scotland) RSC2 

Another stand-out performance from this session. Simon displayed a great array of shots within his arsenal.

Bout 13

5okg Josh Bradley beat D.Janes (Wales) 10:5

Josh claimed victory with good shot selection.

Bout 14

52kg Michael Dunpay lost to R.Thompson (Wales) DISQ 3

In an untidy bout both boxers picked up two warnings a piece in the last round, only for Michael to go onto gain a third and decisive warning for holding.

Bout 15

54kg Hugh Fury lost to P. Ryan (Wales) 10:12

A warning in the third round would cost Hugh dearly against a strong and fit Welsh lad.

Bout 16

60kg Nathan Halton beat J. Harris (Wales) 9:6

Nathan overcame a nose bleed in the first and avoided useful incoming jabs to take the spoils.

At the end of this session, the team relocated to the nearby Arena bar for their evening meal.

Session 2 - 1994 semi finals at 7pm

Bout 17

38kg Irum Greenwell beat L.Murray (Scotland) RSCO2

Irum applied steady and consistent pressure to force the stoppage.

Bout 18

38kg Jez Smith beat S.Dyer (Wales) 13:8

Jez showed good ring intelligence as he picked his shots well.

Bout 19

42kg Alfie Price beat L.Price (Wales) RSCO2

Alfie counter punched well against his namesake southpaw Welsh foe, leading 17-2 at the time of the stoppage.

Bout 20

42kg Issac Lowe beat R. Love (Scotland) RETIRED 2

After a body shot brought about an 8 count in the first, the Scottish corner wisely retired their lad in the next round, as Issac dominated the contest.

Bout 21

44kg Tommy McDonagh beat N. Flanigan (Wales) 14:6

Classy southpaw Tommy got better as this contest proceeded.

Bout 22

44kg Ryan Fillingham beat C. Clarke (Scotland) RSC2

Ryan charged to victory, also forcing an 8 count on the way.

Bout 23

48kg Luke Keller lost to D. Moffat (Scotland) 6:7

Luke struggled to find his timing in this bout

Bout 24

50kg Lee Hatfield lost to A. Hughes (Wales) 1:12

Another competent Welsh boxer.

Bout 25

52kg Michael Joynson beat B. Bateman (Wales) RSC3

The composed English boxer forced counts in every round and was 15-1 up at the time of the stoppage.

Bout 26

52kg Jordan Gill beat R. McLaren (Scotland) RSC1

McLaren suffered an 8 count and nose bleed in the 1st, with Jordan's consistent pressure proving too much.

Bout 27

57kg Robert Morgan lost to M. Parvin (Scotland) 9:5

Robert lost out to a useful and strong Scot.

At the conclusion of this session, a debrief was held with the team at the EIS. The team then relocated to the Etap for a check weigh in, followed by bed at 10pm.

DAY THREE (12/04/08)

8am The official weigh-in was conducted with all English boxers making the stipulated weight and successfully passing a medical examination. A short team meeting was held at the EIS, followed by breakfast at the E-Tap. 

11.30am All boxers cleared their rooms and checked out. 

Noon: Lunch was taken at the EIS.

1.30pm: The finals got underway

Session 3 - 1995 finals

Bout 28

34k Archie Sharp beat R.McFadden (Scotland) 7:5

Sharp by name and nature! Text book display by Archie to gain gold.

Bout 29
36k Adam Middleton beat Christopher Farley 9:5

Southpaw Adam gave a competent performance

Bout 30
38k Tom Aitchison beat O Shaw (Wales) 16:5

Tom has had a great tournament, displaying a wonderful jab and movement. Tom forced a knockdown on Shaw in the 2nd.

Bout 31
40k Charlie Stevens beat Jack Wood 19:4

Charlie worked his socks off for his gold. Jack recovered from an 8 count in the 2nd, however received a warning in the last.

Bout 32
42k Shane McDonagh beat A.Cook (Wales) 8:4

This would be one of the best bouts of the tournament. Southpaw Shane forced an 8 count in the 2nd, yet at the final bell, there was very little to choose between these 2 boxers.

Bout 33
44k Jake Weedon beat N.Carey (Wales) 16:6

Jake turned his opponent well, following up with accurate straight punches to win gold.

Bout 34
46k Kildare Ward lost to F.Gorn (Scotland) 6:9

Kildare's tidier shots weren't enough against the consistently high work rate of the Scot.

Bout 35
48k Thomas McDonagh lost to K.Pring (Wales) 10:11

Thomas, who had earlier paraded the English flag at the finals opening ceremony, just lost out in one of the closest bout of the day.

Bout 36
50k Simon Baker beat Josh Bradley 13:7 

Class act Simon, switched his attacks from head to body with ease. Josh always contested the bout to the very end.

Bout 37
52k Ibrahim Shah beat R.Thompson (Wales) 16:3

This turned into a scrap at times, however Ibrahims greater desire to win saw him through.

Bout 38
54k Liam Joseph beat P.Ryan (Wales) 9:4

Liam gave a great effort, to take gold from a useful opponent.

Bout 39
57K Ben Ako beat Alfie Little RSC3

Brave Alfie battled through a heavy nose bleed from the 2nd against the competent Ben Ako.

Bout 40
60k Nathan Halton beat Ryan Bithell RSCO2

Nathans shots from distance against Ryan's southpaw hooking style, took him to gold. 

Session 4 - 1994 finals

Bout 41
36k Marc Leach beat R.Frost (Wales) 19:4

Marc demonstrated a classy jab, combined with a switch hitting style. He forced an 8 count on the Welsh lad in the 1st.

Bout 42
38k Jez Smith beat Irum Greenwell 14:1

Jez went 5-0 in the 1st and never looked back, with his crisper shots being the difference.

Bout 43
40k Thomas Ward beat J.Howard (Wales) WRSCO2

Thomas's fast hands to head and body made the difference.

Bout 44
42k Alfie Price beat Issac Lowe 6:5

Another great all English final that West Hammer Alfie just nicked. 

Bout 45

44k Ryan Fillingham beat Tommy McDonagh 17:5

Ryan's aggressive style supported by an effective straight back hand allowed him victory over southpaw Tommy.

Bout 46
46k Romario Wallace beat Joseph Maphosa 8:4

Romario's solid shots which forced an 8 count in the second, on his way to gold.

Bout 47
48k Jackson Collins beat D.Moffat (Scotland) 

Jackson's stylish southpaw style ensured he stayed one step ahead of his opponent.

Bout 48

50k Frank Smith lost to A.Hughes (Wales) 3:5

Frank struggled to find his range at times in a close bout.

Bout 49 
52k Micheal Joynson beat Jordan Gill 14:8

A great advert for English boxing after a close opening session Michael edged away in rounds 2 and 3.

Bout 50 
54k George Crotty lost to J.Lee (Wales) 7:7 (15:16)

Southpaw George lost an extremely close bout to a talented Welsh lad.

Bout 51 
57k Mark Baker beat M.Parvin (Scotland) 10:4

Southpaw Mark from Repton ABC, ensured it would be a double family success for the Baker brothers with his efficient selection of head shots, which forced a nose bleed on Parvin.

Bout 52 
60k Ryan Martin beat Patrick Miller 11:7

2 warnings to Partick in the last round may well have cost him Gold against a very useful Ryan Martin.

Bout 53 
63k Simon O'Driscoll beat D.Winarski (Scotland) RSCO2

Simon initially stalked his opponent before opening up with strong southpaw shots that forced 2 x 8 counts in the second round.

Bout 54 
66k Gino Jones beat Nicolas Pemberton 10:2

Both boxers had to wait until the very last bout of the tournament to get their first taste of ring action. Gino's determination saw him take gold.

END RESULT - ENGLAND 23 GOLD, 16 SILVER & 9 BRONZE MEDALS

This very young England team are to be congratulated on their ring performances. Vital experience was gained on how to compete over 2 days, within a team culture. From a potential 27 gold medals available, England stormed to an impressive 23, indicating strength in depth from the schoolboy ranks of amateur boxing in this country. Of the 27 finals, 12 were all England affairs! England won 18 of their 27 semi finals against either Welsh or Scottish opposition. 

OFFICIATING 

The judging for the tournament was of a high standard. 

COACHES 

The head coach Nick Tansley was assisted by Kevin Hay, Damien Ridpath and Martin Utley who ensured the boxers entered the ring in top condition, amidst at times, a very busy schedule. They are to be congratulated for their work in assisting an England team to perform so well.

THE BOXERS 

The conduct of the boxers was good throughout their stay in Sheffield. 

ACCOMODATION 

We stayed at the nearby Etap Hotel, which was ideal for this type of tournament. 

HOSPITALITY 

The brief stay in Sheffield was pleasant and ABAE Events Manager Robbie Boyd ensured rooms and food were in good order, for which we were grateful. 

Martin Webb
Team Manager