Boxing: Shahruf Ali into national semi-finals

Shahruf Ali into national semi-finals

Shahruf Ali, of Hamer Amateur Boxing Club, progressed to the National Open Class semi-finals having beat John Fox, of Stockbridge ABC, at Croxteth Sports Centre in Liverpool on Saturday.

Right from the very first bell Ali didn't give Fox any room or time to use his substantial height and reach advantage as he stormed into his opponent with crunching punches to both the body and head.

Fox tried to use the ring and his jab to keep Ali at bay, but Ali continued to force Fox onto the ropes where he unloaded hooks and uppercuts to convincingly take the first round.

In the second round, the 14-year-old Hamer boxer continued to press and unload fast and hurtful punches to both the body and head while Fox tried to keep his opponent at range.

As the round progressed Fox began to wilt a little and he was unable to use the ring to his advantage and to the delight of the crowd he began to stand and trade with Ali.

Fox showed great grit and determination but it was Ali who continued to land the last blows and telling uppercuts.

In the third and last round Ali continued to give Fox no respite. He forced his tired opponent onto the ropes and let loose with a barrage of punches. All Fox could do was lower his head as the Hamer boxer unloaded telling uppercuts to jolting his head back.

Towards the end of the bout both boxers tired and began to trade in the middle of the ring again. Fox elected to throw body shots, but in doing so he stayed in range allowing Ali to answer with two and three punch combinations.

Ali took the win and progresses to the National semi-finals in Basildon, Essex, along with two other Hamer hopefuls in Jude English and Grant Kershaw.