Boxing: Queensway ABC’s Joseph Crawford retains championship titles

Queensway ABC got the season off to a flying start with England International junior boxer Joseph Crawford retaining two championship titles from 2017.

Crawford retained his title of NABGC 60kg County Champion, following that up by defending his reign as the NABGC 60 kg North West Champion the following week.

Having received a bye at the quarter finals stage, Crawford was drawn against former two-time North-West Champion Kai Pennington of Astley VIP in Manchester in the semi-final.

After a slow start, Crawford settled down behind a stiff jab, putting together eye-catching combinations, eventually running out a comfortable unanimous winner.

The county final saw Crawford pitted against Patrick Kershaw of Northside ABC in Manchester.

As the bell rang for the first round, both boxers took the centre of the ring, exchanging combinations with Crawford finding his range early. A ram rod jab, followed by a three-punch combination to head and body forced Kershaw onto the backfoot, finishing the round with a solid four-punch volley to take the round.

Crawford continued where he left off in the second, finishing the exchanges as the stronger.

The third and final round saw Kershaw tire as Crawford once again found his range early, pressing forward with two phase attacks, using his feet well and once again dominating with his jab.

The unanimous win brought Queensway ABC its first title of the season as county champion.

Crawford was then drawn against the Merseyside and Cheshire champion in the North West Final at Croxteth Sports Centre in Liverpool.

Never an easy place to compete in, Crawford’s opponent Adam Smith came from the renowned boxing club Salisbury ABC. Crawford came out strong in the first with fast and accurate punches.

A strong straight right-left hook combination from Smith reminded Crawford of his opponent’s calibre.

However, Crawford’s class began to tell as he caught the advancing Smith with a powerful jab and uppercuts, stopping Smith in his tracks.

Crawford upped the tempo in the second round using his feet well, gauging his distance from the advancing Smith and responding with fast counters. Sensing he was behind, Smith came out determined in the third, swinging wildly with left and right hooks trying to catch Crawford off guard.

Crawford kept his composure, forcing Smith onto the backfoot. A final flurry of crisp accurate punches from Crawford finished the round.

Once again, Crawford was awarded a unanimous decision giving Queensway ABC its second title of the season.

Crawford now moves on to the National Quarter finals next weekend where he faces the Tyne and Wear champion in Liverpool for a place in the semi-finals.