Boxing: Hamer boxers Laurence Price, Grant Kershaw and Abdul Khan in Llandudno

Hamer Boxing Club coach Frank Maddocks, Grant Kershaw, Laurence Price, Abdul Khan, coach Steven Connellan

Hamer Boxing Club travelled to the Labour Club in Llandudno with three young boxers competing against Welsh opposition on 11 February.

First on was 10-year-old Laurence Price, who put in a terrific performance when boxing for Hamer for the first time in a skills bout against Liam Williams of Dyffryn ABC.

Price showed grit and determination as he listened and followed through with everything his corner told him to do and had the bout gone to a decision, he would surely have taken it.

Next on was 14-year-old Grant Kershaw, who lost in a very close encounter against local lad Elio Algieri of Dyffryn ABC.

Kershaw tried to use his long reach to his advantage while Algieri looked to counter punch. The Hamer boxer continually forced his opponent on to the ropes with combinations but the officials favoured the local boxer, who won by split-decision.

Last on for Hamer was Abdul Khan, who met Harry Williams of Shotton ABC.

Having seen his gym mate Grant lose to a very close decision, Khan came out looking to take the fight to Williams. He constantly stepped into range to unload fast combinations to the head while his clever opponent counter-punched with a terrific right hand that seemed to please the crowd. The round was a very close affair but in the last ten seconds Williams landed two hard right hands and a stinging left hook to the head to take the round.

Before the start of round two, Khan was told by Hamer head coach Steven Connellan to change tactics by continually forcing the fight but allowing Williams to throw first, then get out of range and make Williams miss, then storm back in with counter-punches. He was also told to stay away from the right hand by moving to his own right.

The bell rang for round two and the Hamer youth began to follow every instruction with precision.

Williams continued to fight on the back foot and try and lure his opponent into his trap but Khan was just as cute and he waited for Williams to throw his right hand, then step out of the way before swiftly moving back into range with lightning fast combinations.

The tactics began to work to perfection and as the round progressed Khan also used his jab to get Williams to counter, then the Hamer youngster stepped out of range, before answering with thee and four punch combinations to take the round.

Khan was told by his coach that the winner of the third and last round would take the bout, so he should continue to do what he was doing while staying away from Williams big right hand punch.

The bell rang and the crowd roared in anticipation of what was to come.

Williams came out showing his intentions by landing his favoured right hand punch, while Khan made him miss before countering with a storm of punches. The Welsh boxer started to use his jab as a probe as he tried to mirror the Hamer youth, but Khan was in full flow by now and he began to connect with ease.

Khan finished the contest on top to take a split-decision.