Hamer Super Six belting to success

Hamer Amateur Boxing Club presented an incredible night of boxing at Richmond Hall.

Representing Hamer first was 13-year-old Jude English against Alisha Noonan of St John’s ABC. Both girls regularly attend North West Squad Training.

English used clever footwork against her opponent. At the end of the third round they had both demonstrated their skill and grit.

Next in the running to represent Hamer was 13-year-old Shahruf Ali against Kian Winstanley of The People’s Gym - a competition which turned out to be a contentious affair. Both young fighters went toe-to-toe in the first round, with neither willing to back down.

Although they were equally powerful, Ali had the edge, throwing crushing body shots and hooks to the head, which gave him victory in round one and two. However, despite Ali’s impressive upper cuts and hooks, the judges announced a majority win in favour of Winstanley.

12-year-old Adam Earnshaw was next up for Hamer, facing Lewis Hobson of Darnhill ABC, a much taller opponent. The first round was closely contested with both battling with an equal measure of success, each boxer landing clean shots.

As Earnshaw became trapped in the neutral corner with his head between the ropes, the referee gave him a standing eight count, and the round went to Hobson. Eager not to be an easy target, Earnshaw came out on top in the third round, baffling his opponent as he threw unexpected shots from awkward angles. However, the majority win went to Hobson because Earnshaw lacked participation in the second round.

Making a return to Hamer after a short stint at Bury ABC, was 17-year-old Josh Heywood who faced Pool of Life ABC’s Robert Tomlinson. Heywood used his reach advantage to keep his stocky opponent at bay, with brilliant footwork and ring awareness.

Heywood hit Tomlinson with stiff jabs and landed hard back hand punches with clinical precision, despite Tomlinson's best efforts to defend himself.

16-year-old Mehran Khan of Hamer, took on Callum Percival, of Beartown ABC, for the North West Regional Challenge Belt. A first-rate performance ensued from two boxers. Khan used his intelligent boxing to control the opening round by smothering Percival’s attempts and delivering sharp counter-punches. Khan also defended himself well as Percival threw a quick and powerful left uppercut towards his chin.

All three judges awarded the contest and the belt to Khan. It was a clear victory for Khan and his superior boxing ability.

Topping the bill for Hamer was 19-year-old Danny Afolabi against Anthony Brown, of Stubbys ABC. This was Afolabi’s inaugural fight and proved to be an excellent one. Straight from the first bell, both senior boxers battled hard against each other, unleashing gruelling punches at one another for the entirety of the first round.

In the second round, Afolabi moved in with a high guard looking to land the double jab, with Brown leaning back waiting to counter with his heavy right cross.

The third round was a repeat of the first, in a close and exciting battle with heavy, swinging hands flying about.

In the end, the unanimous win went to Brown.

The Johnny Butterworth Shield went to Shahruf Ali for best performance, whilst the Johnny Butterworth Cup went to Jude English for prospect of the year.

The Dennis Connellan Memorial Shield for the best boxer of the year went to Husnain Ali for his excellent winning performances throughout the season and his dedication to the sport.