Boxing: Hamer underdog on top after facing national champion

Hamer coach Steven Connellan, Kieren McMenamy and Hamer coach Frank Maddocks

With only three bouts to his name, 16-year-old Kieren ‘Lugs’ McMenamy, of Hamer Amateur Boxing Club, had an enormous task ahead of him when he faced off against the current national champion recently.

Kieren stepped into the ring at Tameside Elite Boxing Academy, Stalybridge to meet Lewis Cocksey, of Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy in the North West region semi-finals of the Youth Championships on Sunday 23 January.

In the first bout of the afternoon, Kieren came out using his long-range whilst Cocksey, who’d had 48 bouts, came out, intent on attacking his opponent at every opportunity.

Every time he stepped into range, Cocksey was caught with a crisp right uppercut or a solid, straight right-hand to the chin from the Hamer boxer. This continued throughout the round with both boxers gaining success in a very close round.

Before the start of round two, Hamer coach Steven Connellan told Kieren to use his jab more so that he could keep his opponent occupied and off-balance whilst he waited for Cocksey to step forward.

This was so he could set him up with his right-hand as he rushed towards the Hamer boxer and when the bell rang to start the round, Kieren continued to keep his distance with his long reach and his swift footwork, whilst he used his jab to great effect before slightly stepping back from the action to make Cocksey miss.

He then instantly stepped back into range to land his right hand to the chin of his on-coming opponent, before moving out of range once again.

The Hamer tactics were slowly beginning to work, and the advantage leaned towards the Hamer boxer as the bout continued into the third and last round.

Before the bell rang to start the last round, Steven Connellan told Kieren that he thought Cocksey was tiring a little, so he suggested pressing forward a little bit more so that he could land his punches, but keeping his range so that he could put his weight upon his back foot to land his right-hand when Cocksey rushed towards him.

The bell rang and Kieren came out intent on taking the round as he continued to land telling blows upon his opponent who remained focused on attacking his Hamer antagonist.

It was a great spectacle for the fans to watch as both boxers showed very different, talented skills throughout the whole bout – but when the bell rang to end the round, it was Kieren who upset all the odds when he was awarded the victory by split-decision to progress into the final for the North West region.