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09/01/2008
Young England V Young France Training Camp & Dual Tournament
Saturday 12th January
The team met at St Pancras Eurostar star terminal by 10am. I'd had a phone call from Oscar Webb 51Kg on Monday 7th January to say he was have his eyes lasered and would not be able to attend. I also had a call from the ABAE office earlier to say that Alfie Sackie 81Kg, has an university exam on the day we are due to return, so he would not be available. Whilst at the station waiting for the team to arrive, Kirk Garvey called me and said he would not be coming as he had gone down with a bug (he did sound rough).
The previous Sunday I was attending a recognition squad at tha Midland Counties and spotted a talented young boxer Charles Delve Droitwich ABC and after gaining permission from the performance committee he was invited to join the camp and tournament. The Team consisted of the following.
BOXERS
51Kg) Lewis Pettitt (Nemisis ABC)
54Kg) Billy Morgan (West Ham ABC)
57Kg) Iain Weaver (Golden Ring ABC)
57Kg) Bradley Evans (Stevenage ABC)
60Kg) Robbie Davies (Knowsley Vale ABC)
60Kg) Luke Gibb (Nemisis ABC)
64Kg) Ronnie Heffron (Boarshaw ABC)
69Kg) Jonson McClumpha (Plains Farm ABC)
69Kg) Scott Cardle (Kirkham ABC)
81Kg) Charles Delve (Droitwich ABC)
COACHES
Mick Gannon BEM
ABAE National Coach
Jim Davison
GB Development Coach
Darren Maher
North West Counties
REFEREES & JUDGES
Mick Norford
Royal Navy
Alvin Finch
North West Counties
Keith Howlett MBE
Police Boxing Association
Arriving in Paris
We arrived in Paris on schedule and were met by our hosts and were transported with the French Team to our training camp and the first boxing venue, a three hour coach journey to mid france at a town called Romorantin. On arrival we were accommadated in a sport hostel of good standard. After settling in we had an evening meal. We held a team meeting to discuss expected behaviour, to make sure that the boxers had called families to let them know we had arrived and to nominate the team captain, who was Scott Cardle, because of an early start to the day all had an early night after a check weigh in.
Sunday 13th January
7.45am Everyone was called for breakfast (typically french). We asked our hosts for towels as we had not been informed that we needed to bring our own. The Coaches had a meeting with the French organisers to discuss the training programme and we agreed to have joint training sessions PM and our own at AM each Day, with Thursday being a rest day. We then had a England Team meeting to inform our boxers of the weeks routine. At 10.15am we were transported to the boxing gym 5 minutes away where we held a short sharp thinking session led by Jim Davison. After a shower and before lunch another check weigh in was taken. At 3.45pm we were transported to the boxing gym to have a joint technique sparring session which consisted of eight rounds of partner work with conditions set for each round, this was led by one of the French coaches and there was some good and interesting techniques used. After the evening meal we held a team meeting to talk about the days work and the following day. A check weigh in was taken last thing and one would follow first thing in the morning.
Monday 14th January
7.30am call followed by a check weigh in, because of the amount of work done the previous day and the training pm today it was decided that we would take the boxers on a light speed run in the morning at 10am and afterwards take a steady stroll through the very picturesque town of Romorantin. After lunch had settled and a relax, the team were transported to the boxing gym for the afternoon sparring session. The session was set so that all boxers did 4 x 2 minute rounds. It was obvious that the Frence boxers were going to try and stamp their authority and try to intimidate our boys and how wrong they were, our boxers without giving too much away showed that they had good engines, true grit and some slick moves. I was very pleased with the session. After the evening meal we held a team meeting to discuss today and tomorrows programme. At about midnight one of the French boxers set off the fire alarm, to err on the side of caution I got all of our team dressed warmly and took them outside until the all clear, our boxers did not rise to the bait, it just showed how childish people can be.
Tuseday 15th January
8am the boxers were called to check weigh and told to relax until the first session at 10am, all the boxers went back to bed for an extra hours sleep. At 9.45am the team made their way to the boxing gym for a light tactical training session followed by lunch and then a relaxed afternoon. At 6.30 the team attended a reception at the town hall where the England team were formally welcomed to France. The team wore their National tracksuits and looked extremely smart and their manners were exemplary.
Wednesday 16th January
At 8am the boxers were called for a check weigh and for breakfast, there was no training planned for the morning as later in the afternoon all boxers are to take part in a combined English and French spar, that would be enough training for the day. At 3.45pm the team made their way to the boxing gym for the final spar before the first of the tournaments. Again the French boxers tried to stamp their authority by sparring too hard but again the England boxers dug in and held their own without giving too much away with one of the French boxers being poleaxed. We did get an injury with Lewis Pettitt getting a nick on his eyelid and I pulled him out of the sparring straight away. At 7pm a match making meeting was held with the French Coaches, this I found a bit strange as the bouts were already made, during the meeting it was obvious that they wanted to change the programme to suit their team, a few compromises were made that mainly suited us and not to their liking and a sulky Coach walked off in a huff. I was not prepared to allow the weight difference the wanted on some of our boxers. A team meeting was held at 8.30pm followed by a check weigh in.
Thursday 17th January
This day was planned as a rest day with a visit to a motor museum where the boxers saw lots of French sports cars followed by a walk around the small town and a stroll through the park.
After lunch some of the boxers requested a light session in the boxing gym, so we acquired the gym keys and made our way there. It was at this session that I decided to pull Lewis Pettitt from this Fridays bout, one because he was struggling with his weight and the other, which I told the French Coaches was the reason was because of the nick on his eye. This gives him two more days to make the weight. After the evening meal a team meeting was held to inform the team of the bout order for Fridays tournament, timing for the official weigh in and then a check weigh in before bed. At 9pm I went to the railway station to pick up our officials that arrived from the UK. I had previously collected their room keys earlier and arranged food for them on arrival. (who says we don't look after our officials)
Friday 18th January
7.30am call and check weigh before being transported to the official weigh in. The Weigh in went without any problems. 4pm a team talk was arranged so that the boxers were introduced to and advised by our referees. I handed out the neatly ironed strips, reminded the boxers we were travelling a four hour coach journey and to make sure that the majority of their packing should be done so that there was no rush in the morning. I then got their full attention and gave them a final mental preparaton prior to the tournament.
8pm we made our way to the tournament the evening started with the usual announcement of the teams followed by the National Anthems then the programme was as follows.
BRADLEY EVANS V
It was obvious that the French thought that Brad was going to be a push over because of the way we sparred with them, not giving anything away. Right from the first bell Brad was in his face banging shots into the belly and switching to the head leaving his opponent to punch fresh air with Brads feints and head movement. At the end of the 4 x 2s a very relieved Cissokho went back to his corner. WIN PTS 29-11
BILLY MORGAN V MOUNIR FARAHNI
Another assumed push over and again how wrong they were, Billy hit his opponent with ferocious punches hitting the french lad at will to both head and body, if I was in the French corner I would have chucked the towel to save him punishment. Our 54kg boxer looked a class act. WIN PTS 23-21
JONSON McCLUMPHA V GIOVANI GANDON
Jonson soon got the measure of his very tall 69kg French boxer about 1 minute into the first Jonson unleished a back hand shot litterely lifting his opponent off the deck and finishing him off with a left hook leaving the French boxer sparked out. WIN KO 1st
ROBBIE DAVIES V AHMED EL MOUSAQOUI
Robbie came up against one of the stars of the French team. Although Robbie lost on points he had the French boxer out gunned at times, catching his opponent with explosive left hooks. I was extremeley pleased with the way he performed, he will have learnt alot from this bout. LOSS PTS 17-4
SCOTT CARDLE V RODRIGUE GALERNE
Scott was always in control throughout the bout keeping his opponent on his back foot. He did hold back and I believe with a little more punches thrown he would not have gone the distance. There is alot more to come from Scott. WIN PTS 31-29
CHARLIE DELVE V REDA SAAD
Charlie came in to the team at a weeks notice and came up against a very good French boxer who performed well at the Round Robin Tournament held in Ireland just before Christmas. Although Charlie was a couple of points behind he performed out of his skin, time after time rocking his opponents head back with cracking back hand shots. Charlie is still only 17 years old and already has shown that the talent can and will be picked up by the National Coach when visiting the Regions on his talent recognition visits that are happening over the next few weeks. LOSS PTS 30-12
LUKE GIBB V KEVIN ETOURNEAU
Luke boxed well but was always one or two shots behind,being caught by his tall southpaw opponent as he attacked in straight lines. Luke change his tactics going into the last round, he went hunting for his opponent by keeping his front foot in distance and pressuring him with great success and just being narrowly outpointed at the bell. A good lesson learnt. LOSS PTS 18-12
RONNIE HEFFRON V SAMIR MACHROUH
These two had met just before Christmas at the Round Robin in Ireland where Ronnie won a tough points decision. This time the French boxer had done his home work. For both boxers it was nonstop action with Ronnie getting caught on the way in before the ferocious exchanges. It was during the start of an attack in the second round where Ronnie was caught with a peach of a bowlow backhand uppercut and shortly after by an explosive back hand shot that buckled him, he was not ready to carry on. After the count the referee said box, then quite rightly so the towel went in. A big learning curve for Ronnie that will make him come back a greater boxer. LOSS RETD 2nd
The score was 4 bouts each with the second tournament on Sunday.
Saturday 19th January
8.15 the team were called to make the six hour journey to the next venue. It would have been shorter by two hours but the French team coach told our bus driver to detour to Paris to drop the boxer off that had been KO'd the night before, that is where he lives. Arrived at the venue at 2.30pm and had a check weigh in before lunch. At 6.30pm we held a match making meeting with the two French coaches and again they were not happy with what they wanted and what they got, but we did come to a compromise. Before dinner we held a team meeting to inform our boxers on who was boxing and their opponents. After dinner a check weigh in then the lads all took advantage of the free internet services to check on how their friends were doing in the championships and tournaments going on in the UK.
Sunday 20th January
The team were called at 7.15am to check weigh before the official at 7.30hrs, all made the weight and then to breakfast. At 1.30 a team meeting was held to get the boxers to mentally prepare themsleves and to have their boxing equipment laid out and packed. They were told to organise themselves as far as last bit of packing because of the early start the following day for our journey back to Paris to our Chunnel rail journey home. At 2.30pm the team were transported to the boxing venue. The same routine as before the teams were announced followed by the National Anthems. Then the 2nd leg of the tournament went as follows.
LEWIS PETTITT V VINCENT LEGRAND
Lewis started well, switching from body to head and finishing the round 8-5pts up. The French boxers pressured Lewis in the second round to even the score at the end of the second round. In the third round Lewis pressured his opponent throughtout the round hitting him hard to the belly and head, amazingly he was 30 -23pts down, all the french boxer did in the fourth round was to run and flick out shots to stay ahead. LOSS PTS 37- 25
BILLY MORGAN V MOUNIR FAFAHNI
Again Billy for the second time hit his opponent at will, completely dominating the bout from start to finish, the one thing I will say about his opponent that he is a very brave and courageous young man.
WIN PTS 22-13
IAIN WEAVER V
The French coaches wanted this bout and arranged it to be a exhibition/training bout that would not be scored, so reluctantly I agreed this as it meant that Iain would not have had a bout throughout the tour. I left Darren Maher my assistant Coach to look after this so called Exhibition while prepared the other competing boxers. At the end of the first round I was told that the french officials were actually scoring the bout and counting towards the competition. I quickly went to the corner and let them know this and to step it up. This he did and won the bout quite comfortably. I felt that was a very shifty thing to do. What ever their plan was it didn't work. WIN PTS 18-10
ROBBBIE DAVIES V KEVIN ETOURNEAU
Robbie pressured his opponent from start to finish not allowing the French boxer to settle into the bout. He stayed ahead on points in every round to earn a well deserved win. WIN PTS 17-4
LUKE GIBB V AHMED EL MOUSAOUI
Luke took on the boxer who had beaten Robbie Davies two nights earlier. And although behind on points throughout the bout he pressured his French opponent and made him work very hard for the win. LOSS PTS 46-8
SCOTT CARDLE V REDA SAAD
This bout was accepted by myself and Jim Davison, although the french boxer was heavier he is not a puncher. Scott won all four rounds comfortably and the score showed him ahead in the first three rounds, however even though winning the fourth with ease it was obvious the French officials did not press the button on the scoring machine for Scott but played the piano for their french boxer. A ridiculous decision. LOSS PTS 31-29
CHARLES DELVE V ANTON GOUL
Charley started the bout well scoring at long range and just as he was settling to into what seemed like a comfortable bout, as he stepped away from an exchange he got caught by a swinging left hand that sat him down, he was up virtually straight away and the Referee said box, but to me he still seemed not quite ready to carry on so I threw the towel in to err on the side of caution. LOSS RETD Ist
After the show the team were taken for a meal and then returned to their accomodation.
Monday 21st January
At 6.45am the team were woken for breakfast and the three and a half hour coach trip to Paris where I gave each member of the team some euros to purchase some food for their journey home.The rest of the trip went without incident.
COACHES
The coaches gelled together well and made a great team for both the training camp and also the tournaments helping each other in anyway we could, We discussed tactics and training routines for the team in a democratic way and I believe we made an excellent support team for the lads. A good working relationship was established which will only benefit the boxers on joint England and Development teams in the future.
BOXERS
The boxers themselves have always got on well with each other and they made our new team member welcome into the group. Many a laugh was enjoyed throughout the training camp with the usual banter between Scousers, Cockneys, Midlanders, Mancunians and Geordies. This kept morale high and I believe contributed to the team spirit and the performances of the boxers. At no time did we have to tick any of the boxers off about their manners or behaviour, they were all good ambassadors for the ABAE both in and out of the ring.
OFFICIALS
These joined the team on the Thursday evening and straight away became instant team members, they had met most of the boxers on previous England tours, they advised the boxers at preplanned meetings and were well liked and they enjoyed the company, good manners and humour of the team and this helped towards them enjoying the tour.
GENERAL
The whole training camp was a complete success and helped with helping these future senior internationals know what type of things that happen. The only thing that marred the camp as far as I could see was one of the boxers turned up TWO weight catergories above his boxing weight. It did make relations with our hosts difficult at times and it did put our coaches under pressure. The Club Coach as well as the boxer should take responsibility for his/her boxer turning up and representing their country at the correct weight; after all there are plenty of other boxers out there who would give their right arm to represent their country and would not let the ABAE down. In future those that do will be sent straight home because it is dangerous practice to reduce that amount of weight off a boxer. (especially in the lower weight catergories).
Mick Gannon
Mick Gannon BEM
ABAE National Coach