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03/07/2008

GB Youth Championships 2008

The GB Youth Championships 2008 (for boxers born in 1991 and 1990) were held at the Portobello Town Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland from 26 - 29 June 2008.

A full squad training camp was held at Rotunda ABC Gym, Liverpool on 20 - 22 June 2008. Accommodation was at Anneilos, Netherfield Road, Liverpool (5 minutes drive from Rotunda ABC) All squad members attended this training camp, which was very good preparation and also very enjoyable for all the boxers and coaches.

The squad assembled at EIS Sheffield on Thursday 26 June 2008 at 12.30 and had their weight checked prior to commencing our journey to the Quality Hotel, Edinburgh. The whole team traveled by coach.

The medicals and weigh-in took place from 7-8.30am on 27 June and the draw then took place at 9am. There would be a total of 11 'born 1991' semi finals, involving 7 English Boxers and 16, 'born 1990' semi finals, involving 9 English boxers.

The boxing venue was an old historic building, consisting of a lobby entrance, the main hall containing a stage at the far end with the boxing ring erected directly in front of it with room only for the judges. Spectator seating was arranged around 2 sides of the ring and the computer and officials on the other remaining side. There was a balcony that covered 3 sides of the hall, giving a good view of the ring. A nice venue for boxing - the lighting was not the best, but adequate.

Born 1991 semi finals

51kgJames Dickens 8 Joe Ham (Scotland) 5

James "Jazza" Dickens was up against a lad whom he met in these championships last year. Ham, an orthodox upright boxer started the better and scored with the jab to the head, with Jazza's southpaw punches just falling short. A slow start for Jazza, with the Scot taking the round 3 -1. Jazza fought the next round with a bit more urgency, pushing in with two-handed attacks to the head to take a 6 - 4 lead into the last. Jazza was more relaxed now and was back into his normal counter punching mode with Ham pushing forward but getting caught with sharp backhand counters. The score could have been higher for both lads but none the less, a good win for England.

54kg Paul O'Sullivan 10 Barry Craig (Scotland) 4

Paul "Conker" O'Sullivan fought a great bout of straight accurate punching to the head of his opponent - another orthodox upright boxer, Barry Craig - who was punching air as Conker was in and out with good, fast footwork. In the second round Conker closed the distance constantly to give Craig no room to move. Conker was now side stepping and seemingly scoring with the left hook and finished the bout well in control. Another bout where the score was lower than expected, but most importantly the winner was correct.

57kg Jeff Saunders 5 Callum Susans (Scotland) 2

Jeff was up against an awkward hands-low southpaw in Susans. Both lads were throwing shots that were falling short in a scrappy round, 1-1 was the score. In the second Jeff started to get his feet into range and opened up a two point gap, now using the hook and occasional uppercut and taking the score to 3-1. Jeff - a bit more confident now - finished the bout again, throwing hooks to the body and uppercuts to the head, Susans trying long backhands. Final score 5-2.

60kg Antonio Counihan 13 Sam Jones (Wales) 0

This bout started off slow, with the orthodox Jones and Antonio not committing themselves forward, but once Antonio felt he had the measure of Jones he finished the round with some long straight backhands to take a 4- 0 lead. This gave Antonio the confident platform to relax more, which he did, making Jones miss then teeing off with some very good long shots and hooks to dominate the round to end it 10 - 0. In the last, Antonio moved around the ring with great footwork again making Jones miss and scoring with lovely long accurate shots of his own. Result 13 - 0 win for England.

64kg Jack Kerr 9 Robbie McKee (Scotland) 13

Jack and McKee both started this bout fast, trying to impose themselves with 2 handed attacks to the head. After each attack Jack stayed in just a little bit too long and the orthodox McKee would score with the left hook to the head. This was the pattern of the bout, Jack pushing in on the attack but McKee having the last word with the left hook to the head. A very entertaining contest finished in our first defeat 9 - 13.

69kg Anthony Fowler 9 Steven McAllister (Scotland) 5

Another bout that started slowly with both lads having a look at each other but the long backhands from the lads deserved more than the 1 - 0 to Anthony after the first round. The second round was similar to the first but this time both lads tried to lead off with the jab, whipping in the backhand. The third was the best round with Anthony pressurising McAllister with long looping uppercuts come hooks to force the Scot to give ground, only for him to try long counters with both hands, Final score 9 - 5.

75kg Ryan Aston 7 Joe Morgan (Wales) 5

This was a match of 2 southpaws trying to out-think each other and make the opponent lead off to set about a backhand counter, both to head and body. The first ending even at 1-1. There was a bit more urgency in the second, and when Ryan gave Morgan an eight count with a powerful backhand to the body, it looked like it might end early. But Morgan composed himself and kept out of trouble for the rest of the round, ending 4-2 to England. Both lads went looking for big hooks to the body in the last, but Ryan always looked in control to take a 7-5 win.

Born 1990 Semi Finals

48kg Tommy Stubbs 7 Robert Wright (Scotland) 11

Wright started the bout by rushing Tommy and throwing swinging hooks, a lot of which landed with the inside of the glove. Tommy adopted a hands-down approach throwing uppercuts and hooks of his own. The orthodox Wright continued to put pressure on through out the bout, with Tommy occasionally switching to south paw. All four rounds were of this similar pattern with Wright trying to land some heavy swings and Tommy using unorthodox tactics with hands very low. Wright deserved the win for endeavor.

51kg Kieran Farrell 17 Danny Singh (Scotland) 8

Singh, an orthodox, very tall boxer for his weight, started well keeping Kieran at bay with his reach advantage and beating him to the punch. But Kieran kept working hard trying to get under the long arms of Singh. The first round went 3-2 to Singh. Kieran pressed forward and started to have more success with good straight shots and hooks to head and body and Singh starting to hold on. Round two was 5-5. Round three saw Kieran start to dominate, again with great work to head and body on the inside, the score 9-6 to Kieran. In the final round Kieran was in complete control, chasing the ever tiring Singh. Final score a well deserved 17-8.

54kg John Quigley Won RSC 3 v Haroun Ghezlan (Wales)

Team captain John started very confidently from the southpaw stance against Ghezlan, another very tall for the weight, southpaw. John moved through the gears with ease, working both head and body and pushing Ghezlan back. In the second John switched from southpaw to orthodox to land more hooks and uppercuts, then switching back again. Ghezlan had no answer to John's style and in the third round was caught with a big overhand right to the head to bring a count from the referee. One more two-handed attack brought about the end of the contest, the referee this time not even giving the Welsh lad the count.

57kg Iain Weaver 21 Jonathan Slowey (Scotland) 6

Iain scored from the start with lovely long backhands, but southpaw Slowey scored well with the backhand himself. Iain relaxed very early into this contest and was never in any danger, winning the first round 7 -3. Even when he eased of the pressure in the second, he still scored on the counter to make it 10 -4. Slowey came forward in the third trying to close the gap but Iain reasserted his authority with two handed bursts of 3 and 4 punches, giving him a lead of 14 - 6 going into the last. Slowey again had to chase the bout, but Iain was well into his stride now and scored with right hooks to the head. A very competent showing by Iain, against a good boxer in Slowey.

60kg Sean McBride 2 Brian Lacey (Scotland) 0

Trying hard not to be unfair to both boxers, this bout just never got going. Sean, working from a very tight guard, took punches on the arms of the orthodox Lacey for the full four rounds. The score was still 0-0 with less than a minute remaining in the contest when Sean scored with two quick right hand counters to the head to book his place in the final.

64kg Joe Hughes Won RSC 2 v Darren McGinn (Scotland)

Joe went on the jab from the start and connected cleanly on orthodox Boxer McGinn, snapping his head back in the process, then throwing left hooks to the body. At the start of the second round, Joe again connected to the head with very solid jabs causing the referee to have a look at the bleeding nose of McGinn. He allowed him to continue, but not for long, as Joe's accuracy with the powerful jab had done damage to McGinn's nose, so the referee stopped the contest.

69kg Callum Smith v Sean Finney (Scotland) 7-7 (count back 16-15)

This was a very evenly match contest between tall orthodox boxers. Both lads were working off the jab then trying to land straight back hand punches. The first three rounds continued in this manner with Finney just edging a 2 point lead going into the last round. Callum upped the pace and pressed forward onto Finney, who started to tire under the pressure. Callum won this very close bout in this last round and deservedly so.

75kg Kirk Garvey 18 Liam Williams (Wales) 0

Kirk had a massive height and size advantage over the orthodox Williams. In truth this turned out to be like a routine workout for Kirk, who scored with the jab and left hook at will. To his credit, Williams stuck at it and saw the contest through to the end.

91kg Sean Robbins 4 Stephen Lavelle (Scotland) 3

This bout started slow and stayed that way through out, neither lad committing himself to attack, first round 0 -0, second 1-1, both having scored with a jab to the head. Sean opened up a bit more in the third and managed to gain a 4-2 lead, again the scoring shots being jabs. Both lads looked very tired in the forth round with very little action. Sean holding onto his lead but only by one point.

Saturday 28 June 2008

We arrived at the venue at 12.15 and were given instructions on a team parade into the ring that consisted of team manager, head coach and team captain only.

Born 1991 Finals

Chris was up against a lad who had won Gold in these Championships last year. He started off confidently and relaxed more and more as the bout progressed, taking a first round lead of 3-1 by using the jab and the hook to the head of the orthodox Welshman. Baker came forward more in the second round but Chris was stepping off to the sides, throwing a great variety of shots to increase his lead to 5 -1. In the last, Chris was completely relaxed and using his feet to great effect to set up hooks and uppercuts. The bout ended with a score of 8-2, but it could have been higher.

51kg James Dickens 8 Josh Taylor (Scotland) 3

This was a repeat of last year's final, with the same outcome. Taylor, yet another very tall southpaw, was aggressive and scored well with the backhand, whilst Jazza tried to get underneath the long arms with two handed attacks to the body. It was a close bout going into the second, but Jazza became more composed, waiting for Taylor to make a move, and then countering quickly with sharp two punch combinations. The third was a repeat of the second round, with Jazza happy to sit back and wait to counter. This was a better bout than the score line suggests, with both lads deserving of praise.

54kg Paul O'Sullivan 19 Joseph Cardina (Wales) 8

This was a contest of two lads with contrasting styles, with the better boxer winning. Both orthodox, but Conker working from a high guard, throwing plenty of two-handed straight shots and Cardina swinging in hooks with both hands to the body. Conker took a first round lead of 6-3. In the second Cardina tried to throw more hooks to the head but was constantly beaten to the punch, the round ending 14-6 to Conker. In the last round both lads gave it their all, but once again the better boxing by Conker saw him home for his second GB title in a row. Well done to both lads.

57kg Jeff Saunders 14 Sean McGoldrick (Wales) 5

Jeff started the bout a bit tentatively and allowed orthodox McGoldrick to force him back with two handed attacks, but by the end of the round his jab was working well and he lead 3 - 2. In the second round Jeff visibly relaxed and began to throw uppercuts and hooks to head and body and totally dominated McGoldrick with excellent footwork. McGoldrick was punching air as Jeff moved in and out with ease, score 11-3. Cheered on by his Olympian brother, Brad, Jeff and McGoldrick began to stand and trade, with Jeff having the better of the exchanges. A good bout and great win for Jeff.

60kg Antonio Counihan 16 Lewis Benson (Scotland) 3

Antonio started this final in the same manner as he finished his semi final, with great footwork, moving in and out, scoring to the head with the jab then moving off to the sides and throwing two punch combinations. The orthodox Benson tried hard to catch up with Antonio but was chasing shadows. In the second round Antonio stepped up the pace even more, scoring with long single backhands then darting in to score with doubles to head and body. The third was more of the same, although well on top, Antonio stuck to his task to finish the job off correctly. A really good championships for Antonio, who boxed superbly throughout.

69kg Anthony Fowler Won KO1 v Jo Maggs (Wales)

Maggs had a bye at the semi final stage so Anthony hadn't had a chance to see what he was like. Maggs, an orthodox boxer, was forced back with powerful jabs by Anthony, who wanted to impose himself early. There was a brief exchange by both boxers, with Maggs being forced back once again. Fowler then threw a big overhand right that connected squarely on the chin of Maggs sending him stumbling to the floor. He was up at the count of 6 but the referee counted him out on his feet, to give Anthony his second GB Title in a row also.

75kg Ryan Aston 11 Daniel Barlow (Scotland) 3

Ryan was too sharp for Barlow from the start, setting him up with his south paw jab followed up with powerful backhands to the body. Orthodox Barlow couldn't get to grips with Ryan's powerful punching, opting to go on the retreat whenever Ryan pushed forward. Ryan who likes to work as a counter puncher himself had to go looking for Barlow, who again was on the back foot. A comfortable title triumph for Ryan.

81kg Declan Fusco

Declan's opponent had withdrawn on the opening day. Although he was very disappointed not to have boxed, Declan had to settle for a Walkover.

91kg Danny Benson lost KO 2 v Simon McDonagh (Wales)

After a slow first round that ended 1-1, Danny was caught standing square with a swinging right hand to the chin. The referee immediately stopped the bout and got the doctor to assist Danny. He was soon up on his feet and checked out by the doctor.

91kg+ Karl Tierney 26 Rhys Williams (Wales) 2

Karl took control of this bout right from the first bell with a superb display of accurate jabs, setting up his opponent for the straight backhand to the head. Williams was a much bigger, orthodox boxer, who tried to throw big right hands. Karl was far too quick and sharp for him and took a first round 9-1 lead. In the second round Karl was boxing excellently, moving in to score with hooks to the body and back out to score with long straight shots to the head. Second round 18-1. In the third Karl just continued as he had in the previous two rounds. A resounding victory 26-2, to wrap up the first finals session. 

The medal ceremony was completed after each bout.

Born 1990 Finals

51kg Luke Goodings v Kieran Farrell 12-12 count back 26-27

This was the only final where two team mates boxed each other. It started off with both lads being too close, both trying to hook inside but not much landing cleanly. The first round score was 3-2. The second round, Kieran's persistence to try to work inside paid off when he started to score with the hook off the jab, Luke trying to stay long now, scoring a couple of times with his third shot combination, score 9-8 . Luke looked to have done enough with a better last round but with Kieran never giving up and trying to get inside. Luke, who had been cautioned for pushing, then got a warning. This then ended the bout 12-12 and Kieran got the verdict on count back 27-26. Both lads had given their all in a very good bout.

54kg John Quigley 16 Kris Jones (Wales) 7

Southpaw Jones is a very strong lad looking to score with the hook. In an untidy round John was 1-0 up, scoring with a long left hook to the head. Both lads came out for the second a bit more adventurous and started to mix it a bit. John came out on top with sharper two punch combinations and hooks off the jab. Jones throwing hooks to the body. Second round 5-2. Jones came out fast in the third looking to power his way in but John changed tactics completely, standing off and scoring with lovely long straight counters. Right on the bell, John connected with an uppercut that stopped Jones in his tracks. Score 10-4. Jones knew he had to go for it in the last but once again John's movement and counter punching was perfectly timed and he ran out the winner 16-7.

57kg Iain Weaver won RSC 4 Craig Cummings (Wales)

Cummings is orthodox and another very strong Welshman, he had won his semi final with a first round stoppage. The first was a close round with Iain sticking to his boxing, while Cummings tried to power his way in with hooks to body. Iain took the first 5-3.

The second round started with Jones again trying to work the body with big hooks with both hands. Iain's greater movement kept him out of trouble and he then started to sit down on his own shots scoring with lovely hooks and uppercuts to start dominating the bout, score 11-4.

In the third round Iain started to give a master class in foot movement and combination punching from all angles, the round ended 18-5. In the fourth Iain stepped it up yet another gear, totally out classing a very good opponent. The referee decided he had seen enough and stepped in to stop the contest. The score at the time was 29-6. This was the best performance of the championships. Iain's second GB title in a row.

60kg Sean McBride 2 v Lance Cooksey (Wales) 9

Cooksey another of the strong, powerful Welsh team set about trying to break down the tight and effective guard of Sean's. Cooksey, orthodox, worked away to try to get powerful hooks under Sean's elbows then quickly switching to the head. As Cooksey worked at the body, Sean tried to score to the head with short hooks of his own. This was the pattern up until the last round, with the score at 4 -2 to Cooksey, he eventually broke through the guard and hurt Sean to the body.

With Sean now on the back foot, Cooksey piled on the pressure and gave Sean a standing eight count after hurting the body again. This was quickly followed by a second count, but Sean battled on to here the last bell with a 9-2 Victory to Cooksey.

64kg Joe Hughes 19 Sandy Forsyth (Scotland) 4

As in the semi final, Joe used his jab to great effect, forcing the orthodox Scot back every time it landed. By the end of the second round Joe was also landing some good left hooks to the body without much reply from Forsyth, the score at this stage 8-1 to Joe. Joe continued to control the bout with the jab, bringing in the occasional uppercut and racking up the points. Forsyth just had no answer for Joes controlled aggression and he looked a very tired and beaten boxer at the end. A wonderful championships for Joe with a much deserved gold.

69kg Callum Smith 23 Jordan Crook (Wales) 15

This was a very even contest up to the half way stage, 8-8, with both lads using the jab to set up two punch combination attacks, orthodox Crook trying to use the hook inside. In the third, both lads upped their game seeking to gain a lead and at times stood and traded punches, both having success, but Callum edging it and going into the last round 16-13 up. As in the semi final, the last round was Callum's best and he started to land uppercuts to secure a 23 - 15 Victory. Callum was the forth Liverpool Boxer to gain back to back GB titles this year and the sixth Liverpool Boxer to win gold at these championships.

75kg Kirk Garvey v Kieran Harding (Wales) 8-8 count back 19-18

This was another great contest with probably Wales most talented boxer in these championships just getting beaten on count back. Harding, orthodox, pressed forward throughout the bout trying to take the initiative with jabs and straight backhands, Kirk struggling at times to keep him out. Kirk was three points down going into the last and needed a really big round. He came up with the goods in a barnstorming fourth and done just enough to get the decision with left hooks and pressure of his own. A really good performance, one to be proud of.

81kg Charles Delve 21 John Mc Donagh (Wales) 4

This bout was a great display of counter punch boxing, mixed with a bit of applied pressure by Charles, waiting for his orthodox opponent to commit himself forward then picking him off with the jab and hook, then at other times darting in to score with combinations. Charles controlled the bout from start to finish and completely out thought and out boxed McDonagh. A very competent display and a joy to watch.

91kg Sean Robbins 12 Clayton Parfitt (Wales) 5

This bout started slow with both lads having a look at each other, just sending out the jab to test each other. First round 2 - 1 Sean. The second was a very similar round with Sean's lead extended to 4 - 1. Both lads injected a bit of urgency into the third, even having two handed exchanges, with the orthodox Parfitt trying to throw heavy shots. However Sean's better jab increased his lead to 8 - 3. The last round saw the Welshman seemingly accepting his fate, allowing Sean to push forward and score with the back hand, the bout finishing 12 - 5. This was a better performance by Sean, another deserving champion.

91kg+ Max Wilson 15 Scott Gunter (Wales) 14

A contest between two very inexperienced lads, but what they lacked in skill and technical ability, they made up for with heart and endeavour. Both lads had the crowd on their feet throughout, with the lead switching from one to the other right up until the last bell. As the contest progressed, either boxer may well have stopped the other with big swinging right hands. It was the Englishman who triumphed in the end to the delight of all his team mates who had roared him on to victory and gave him the motivation to carry on when under enormous pressure from his orthodox opponent. A gutsy performance from both lads.

The medal ceremony took place after each bout, the same as the early session.

The medal table finished thus:

 When we got back to the hotel we had a presentation ceremony of our own, presenting the lads with their commemorative vests.

This was a very successful tournament for all concerned with England and gave all the boxers vital international experience. The standard of boxing and judging/refereeing was good. I watched every bout in the tournament and there were no outrageous decisions.

Head coach Ronnie Rowe and his coaches; David Binns, Alan Keast and Paul Stevenson, performed their duties excellently and were a major part in all our boxer's success.

The officials; Sandy Mathewson, Paul Allen and Bob Pully all performed very well.

John Hallam
Team Manager