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23/03/2009
England v Ireland team manager's report
An international competition took place between England and Ireland last Friday, at the Royal National Hotel in London. Former world welterweight champion Lloyd Honeyghan joined the England team for their ring parade, before the first bout of the night, a special bout between Chris Blinkhorn, whose original Irish opponent was forced to withdraw, and Bert Truby, who stepped in at short notice. Team Manager Martin Webb's bout report follows...
51kg Chris Blinkhorn won (unanimous points) v Bert Truby (Bexley)
The boxers engaged in a well-fought bout, and Blinkhorn won a clear unanimous points decision, although Truby made an argument of it for the full four two-minute round duration.
(England names first, all bouts over 3 x 3 minutes)
Bout 1
57kg Lee Gillespie won (majority points) v Michael Myers
Gillespie was just that quicker to the punch, demonstrating a fine left hook to the body against an always dangerous Irish opponent. This was a revenge win for Gillespie, who had dropped a decision to Myers exactly one month ago!
Bout 2
57kg Del Rogers lost (unanimous points) v Tyrone McCullough
Rogers struggled to find his rhythm at times against the Irish team captain, southpaw McCullough.
Bout 3
60kg Sam Maxwell won (majority points) v Tyrone McKenna
This all-southpaw pairing would prove to be the closest bout of the night. The rangy McKenna posed plenty of problems for Maxwell, but the English boxer's solid shots did enough to nick a close one.
Bout 4
60kg Gary Reay won (unanimous points) v Mark Ginley
Southpaw Reay controlled the pace nicely against Ginley in a quality match-up. The harder shots came from Reay, who forced a nosebleed against his opponent in the third round.
Bout 5
64kg Andy Townend lost (unanimous points) v Stephen Donnelly
Townend had the misfortune to run into the most accomplished boxer of the Irish team, who subsequently went on to win the 'best boxer of the night' award. The classy Donnelly closed down the rounds the better to earn a deserved decision, however Townend battled hard throughout.
Bout 6
69kg Lee Newman won (RSC3) v David Walsh
Heavy-handed Newman tried too hard in the opener, however settled by the second, after adapting to his Irish foe's useful counter-punching tactics. Within the opening minute of the third, a well timed straight right hand from Newman brought about a standing eight count. An identical shot from Newman followed fifteen seconds later, for another eight count, and with Walsh also suffering a nose bleed, referee George Brugnoli called a halt to affairs in favour of the likeable Londoner.
Bout 7
69kg Liam Cameron won (unanimous points) v Michael Bustard
Arguably the finest English performance of the night came from 18-year-old Cameron, engaging in his first ever 3 x 3s. Great movement, superior hand speed and effective punch selection from Cameron ensured the youngster took victory against his shorter southpaw opponent, and in doing so took England into an unassailable 5-2 lead.
Bout 8
81kg Jimmy McCann won (majority points) v Brendan Fitzpatrick
England Team captain McCann rounded of a great night for the English team, after carving out a close points win in a hard fought bout. For big men, both boxers set about a high workrate throughout the contest, however it would be McCann's shots from distance that made the difference. This bout saw 2008 Olympian Billy Phillips referee his final bout before retiring from international officiating.
END RESULT - ENGLAND 6, IRELAND 2
All of the England team are to be congratulated on their ring performances. Vital experience was gained from a largely untried England team. The performances on the night demonstrate England boxing has much strength in depth.
COACHES
Head coach Martin Utley (Yorkshire), assisted by George Burton (London) and the boxers' club coaches, all ensured the boxers entered the ring in top condition. They are to be congratulated for their work in assisting England to victory.
Martin Webb
Team Manager