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15/01/2008
Big Eddie Whitmore sends the crowd home happy
Forest Oaks Super Heavy Eddie Whitmore sent the Cinderford crowd home happy, following his superb victory at Oaklands on Saturday night.
Sickness viruses and last minute withdrawals, including one club pulling out with 2 hours notice, could not dampen the spirits of the home boxers on Saturday night. Twelve bouts were scrambled together providing decent entertainment for the crowd.
Star of the show was Eddie Whitmore for his edge-of-the-seat win against the even bigger Adam Roberts from Blandford. After losing the first round and getting a telling off in the corner, Eddie rallied in round two, landing big right hands and left hooks, forcing a standing count and racking up the points.
The noisy crowd chanted Eddie's name, giving him a spur on for the final two minutes. Roberts came back in round 3, testing Eddie's resolve to the limit. A strong final 30 seconds from the visiting fighter was matched by the exhausted Whitmore, but Eddie had done enough for a points decision. Mayor Max Coborne awarded Whitmore the Cinderford Town Council Cup for his efforts, and Eddie was last seen trying to drink the beer from it!
Welterweight Gwynner Thomas gave a controlled performance of technical boxing in his match against Darren Hull from Plymouth. Power alone would not hane beaten the cagey Hull, and Thomas used all of his array of skills to dominate his foe from the opening bell. This was Gwynner's finest perfomance to date, and it was awarded the 'Fight of the Night' trophy.
Micheldean schoolboy Alex George took on Alex Selbie from Romford, and made his debut fight a fine win. Alex worked hard thoughout the contest, never letting his rival settle. This was a great win for a fine young prospect.
Junior Will Burden had a close contest, both boxers giving their all for 3 pulsating rounds. the vastly improved Burden was edged out in a tight finish, but left the ring to a well deserved ovation.
Ben Smyth appeared unlucky not to get the nod against Plymouth boxer Chris Adaway, who came in as a same day replacement. Cinderford coaches thought Ben had landed enough clean shots to deserve the decision, as did the Plymouth contingent, but it wasnt to be with adaway winning a split decision.
Last minute withdrawals robbed the crowd of contests involving Danny Griffiths, Scott Morgan and Lydney's Chris Higgs, whilst Nathan Madge and Sian Brooking both fell foul of the sickness virus in the days building up to the tournament.
Josh Brain from Soudley had his best ever bout, using combinations from both hands, but was edged out on points by Romford's Jack Sawyer. Chris George couldn't overcome the height advantage of his rival, and was retired by his corner in round two. Debuting schoolboy Connor Gardiner suffered a coughing fit in round 3, and was forced out with just one second on the clock. Lithuanian powerhouse Aivaras Paltanavisc was unlucky to suffer a shoulder injury in his bout, and was forced to pull out in round 2.
Praise indeed must go to Forest Oaks Boxing Club for putting on a decent show under such circumstances, when it seemed at one point that the show would have to be cancelled.
Boxing returns to Cinderford in April, when the ABA Western Counties finals take place, plus supporting bouts from Cinderford based boxers.