Boxing: Maddocks takes the North West Region Junior title

Hamer coach Frank Maddocks, Aeron Maddocks and Hamer coach Steven Connellan

16-year-old Aeron Maddocks of Hamer Amateur Boxing Club travelled to Barton Athletic Boxing Club in Eccles on Saturday 2 March, to meet Michael Melly of Manx ABC in the final of the North West Region Junior Championships.

In the first round Melly came out using his much longer reach advantage, whereas the Hamer boxer tried to force the action by backing the Isle of Man boxer up onto the ropes before unloading punches to both the mid-section and the head.

This continued throughout the round, with Melly content just to off load fast one-two combinations to the head as Maddocks came towards him. 

Although the Manx boxer gained success on occasion, he stayed upon the ropes which gave the Rochdale boxer ample time to reply with more punches to the body, followed by a terrific left hook to the side of the head.

The action was non-stop from the Hamer youngster and he managed to unload two more solid punches to the jaw as he backed Melly up, into his own corner, then just before the bell the Manx boxer showed he was still in the contest when he landed another fast one-two combination to the face of Maddocks.

Before the start of round two Maddocks was told by his coach Steven Connellan to continue to force the action, but to keep his guard high, so as to catch the punches thrown by Melly, then return those shots with punches of his own.

At the start of round two Melly immediately showed his intentions by landing a smashing lead left hook to the side of the head, followed by a huge right hand to the jaw of the Hamer boxer. 

But instead of continuing this by keeping his distance, he stepped in close to grab hold of the Rochdale boxer which allowed Maddocks the opportunity to throw his hooks to the body and head again.

The round started to become a bit scrappy as Melly continued to hold whilst Maddocks tried hard to land his hooks, yet the referee never once told the Manx boxer off for the blatant infringement.

In the third and last round Melly came out and planted his feet to force the Hamer boxer back and he was gaining success until Maddocks landed another awesome right hand to the jaw which forced his opponent to put his head down.

It was a gruelling contest for both boxers, yet Melly continued to hold, which gave Maddocks the opportunity to continue to land his hooks to the body and head, followed by a scintillating rear-hand uppercut to the chin. 

In the last minute the Hamer boxer bit down hard upon his gum shield and continued to land excellent and hard punches to take the North West Region Junior title by a unanimous decision.