Boxing: Aeron Maddocks progresses to the Junior National Semi-Finals

Coach Steven Connellan, Aeron Maddocks and coach Frank Maddocks

Aeron "The Viking" Maddocks of Hamer Amateur Boxing Club progressed into the 63-66kg Junior National Semi-Finals when he sensationally beat the former multi National Champion and England International, Elliot Done of Catterick ABC.

The match was held at Littleborough Sports Centre on Sunday 17 March. The much taller and stronger looking Catterick boxer came out on the sound of the first bell to show his intent and stormed all over Maddocks with punishing blows. All Aeron could do was to cover up as best he could and take what was dished out to him. 

The sequence of unending punches began when Done landed his double jab with his much longer reach advantage. Maddocks somehow forced Done onto the ropes with the intention of unloading some punches of his own but Done span him around and began unloading heavy and hurtful punches to both the body and head of the Hamer boxer.

The accumulation of punches thrown by Done numbered in the twenties and it looked as though the Hamer boxer would succumb to the bombardment Done was inflicting upon him but as the bout continued, Maddocks slowly began to claw his way into the contest.

Incredibly the England international began to show signs of fatigue and when both boxers got in close, Done was content on just holding whilst Maddocks continued to unload punches to both the body and head.  When Done found his distance again he threw wild punches that missed the Hamer boxer before Maddocks stepped in to land his own and although Done had clearly won the round, Maddocks was slowly edging into the fight.

The second round became a battle of wills as Maddocks stepped forward to take the fight to his opponent who for the first ten seconds landed more heavy blows, but the Hamer boxer answered Done with punches of his own and he slowly began to take control of the bout. It was a sensational, action packed contest for the spectators who were shouting out encouragement to both boxers. Done looked spent after about thirty seconds and it showed when he began to wait for Maddocks without throwing any punches. The Hamer boxer obliged by forcing Done onto the ropes and landing a number of punches, before Done grabbed hold of him.

This happened throughout the round and on the sound of the bell it was Maddocks who was planting the heavy blows upon his opponent, who was trapped in his own corner. 

The bell rang for the third and last round and Maddocks stormed out to land an incredible right hand to the chin which immediately forced Done to lower his head and grab hold. 

Maddocks continued to land punch after punch upon his weight drained opponent who could do nothing but hold on. The referee split them apart and Aeron landed another terrific right-hand punch which forced Done back onto the ropes. Maddocks moved in and landed yet another big right hand and Done collapsed onto the canvas, yet incredibly the referee deemed it a slip and allowed the bout to continue without administrating a standing eight count. 

It was a closely fought contest in-which Maddocks showed true grit and determination to come back when it looked as though he had met a more superior boxer.

His dogged persistence and drive led him to turn the bout around in his favour and take the fight by split-decision and progress on to the National Semi-Finals.