Boxing: Allana Shaw takes gold

Allana Shaw takes gold

11-year-old Allana Shaw became an instant sensation in taking gold representing both Hamer Amateur Boxing Club and North West Region Women Warriors, at the CBS Sport Hall in Dublin, Ireland when competing in Europe's biggest two day event in the All-Female Esker Box-Cup on Friday 13 October.

The Hamer youngster was matched against Ireland's very own Zoe Murphy of Our Lady of Lourdes Boxing Club in the final of the 46kg weight category.

On the sound of the first bell Shaw came out of the blue corner to meet Murphy in the centre of the ring with a probing jab, while looking for openings.

Both girls seemed nervous at first but as soon as Murphy tried to take the fight to Shaw she was met by fast combinations that continued to land on the target and the Irish girl fell to the floor, but the referee deemed it a slip.

Shaw moved around the ring on swift feet while using her jab before stepping out of range, then as soon as Murphy rushed forward, Shaw caught the Irish youngster with more fast combinations.

Shaw came out for the second round far more composed and she began to use the ring to her advantage while continually stepping in and out of range.

The Hamer girl continued to catch Murphy with swift punches before moving out of range to make her opponent miss, then, just before the bell to end the round, Murphy attacked the Rochdale lass to show the judges that she was still in the contest.

In the third and final round Murphy continued to take the centre of the ring as she stalked after her opponent while Allana used the perimeter to her advantage to keep the bout at range.

Murphy would throw her Jab and Shaw would parry it before replying with fast one-two combinations to the head.

The Irish girl was persistent in moving forward but by now the Rochdale lass was in full flow as she moved around the ring on her toes while continually connecting with fast combinations followed by her lead left hook.

The end was in sight for Shaw, but just before the bell Murphy tried to impress the judges once again when she forced the Hamer girl onto the ropes with solid punches but this time Allana replied with punches of her own to gain victory and to win the gold medal.

That same weekend two more Hamer youngsters were in action when they travelled to The Forum in Northallerton, North Yorkshire on Friday 13 October.

First on was 10-year-old Charlie Braddock who competed in a skills bout against Sydney Welsh of Darlington ABC, who was a very talented youngster but Charlie showed a great determination and attitude to continually push forward while throwing punches.

Next on was 14-year-old Adam Earnshaw who lost to Paulo Tolentino of Northallerton ABC in a very close home-town split-decision that the Hamer team and many at ringside believed should have gone to the Rochdale lad.

In a very busy two week for the Rochdale Boxing Club, 10-year-old ‘Big’ Ben Braddock stepped off the Hamer production line for the very first time and fought in his first ever skills bout against Harrison Snow of Eastburn Boxing Club at Hare Hills Labour Club in Leeds on 4 October.

Also stepping off the production line for the very first time was 10-year-old Zakir Shekuwe, who put in a sensational performance for one so young when he met Jason Bubbins in a skills bout at Unity Workingmen's Club, Rossendale Road, Burnley on Friday 20 October.