CITY NEWS

A NATURAL HUNGER FOR TITLES

City are driving for another title haul this season with as many as 6 youngsters going for Schools Championship glory with 3 possibly 5 Seniors going for senior titles. Even if City were 50% successful this season this would mean no less than 5 titles coming back to North Hull.

City hot shot Liam Gibbons who has only dropped 1 close points decision away from home will be looking to keep his tight record in tact as he aims for Class A 36kg National Title. Winning 7 of his contests from 8 bouts has been tipped for big things and he will be focussed come the start of the season.

Joshua Kinsley has also shown some explosive form towards the end of last season winning 3 on the bounce from his 4 bout record, Kinsley has proven his commitment to the sport by making it his number one priority during the closed season and is developing into a classy little operator.

Brandon Stead has won 5 from 6 and is a very awkward, very strong southpaw that has applied himself very well since joining City. He is looking for a Yorkshire ABA call up this season along with his junior club mates. Stead is tipped to be a tough opposition to anyone who climbs into the ring with him with in the regional rounds.

Jim Bob Dixon has impressed in all of his 3 bouts, he will be looking to keep his tasty form going and extend his undefeated recorded by adding a good championship run to his experience. It will take a good lad to beat him.

Tom Arnell has mixed it up with some of the best boxers in the country and this will go as sound experience when he makes his final attempt to claim a National Title. Last years Yorkshire Champion will be looking to do better this year.

Kai Gibson has proved he has the credentials to cause an upset or two, winning 4 from his 6 contests. His relentless determined mindset will work well for him this season and he has the eye for success and is determined for good run.

Clubs lightest boxer Callum Turner will be scaling under 30kg division has proved he is one to watch, only dropping 3 decisions in 6 contests (1 of which was down to Turner being ill in the ring in a contest he was winning by quite a margin), the confident little southpaw will be focussed when the first bell sounds out.

It is still uncertain whether Ryan Gibbons will feature in the championships this year, the 14 year old is due to have braces fitted which may rule him out further from the boxing ring. However the family remain hopeful that a letter from the dentist will clear up any queries the ABA may raise which will lead the way for the former Yorkshire Champion and National Quarter finalist to perhaps have a crack at the Junior ABA's. Only time will tell on this one.

With Natasha Dolan, Chelsey Arnell and Trudy O'Loughlin all set for the female championships, Alex Sutton and possibly big Danny Easingwood looking towards the Senior Novices, a championship City enjoyed a great deal of success in the last 2 years running. Danny Little and possibly Charlie Payton making up the Senior ABA Championship assaults, City are set for a title haul.

SUTTON SET ON BIG SEASON

Alex Sutton believes he has the tools and experience to bring home the National Senior Novice Title this year and according to his coaches, this is a realistic bet for the City featherweight.

Last year Sutton was edged out on the closest of decisions against eventual National Semi Finalist Uzair Najib, the only senior to beat Sutton. This time the focussed youngster wishes to make his own dreams a reality when the championships kick off come October / November time.

Sutton has retained his weight well currently weighing 57.7kg, Sutton will make the under 57kg catagory comfortably and is dreaming that he can add a Yorkshire title to his ever building trophy cabinet. Last year he was voted the Most Improved Senior boxer of the Year and a National title is the main objective on his mind, as he trains hard in the gym everyday, that dream will hopefully become a reality. Someone who has made the journey all the way and knows what lays ahead for the aspiring featherweight is coach Mike Gibbons, he guided Charlie Payton to the title 2 years running.

"Its a tough championship. Many think the Novices is an easy route to a national title. The kids involved are up for it big time. Dates are often moved around which effects the fight plan and progression of the boxer. The weight limits are set in stone, there is no allowance and as the championships are sat so close to christmas its hard to keep the boxer focussed to retain weight, however with Alex, he is one of the most reliable in the gym for his weight so this shouldnt be a problem".

"The sparring is crucial at the beginning, to pick up the work rate from the very first round. After this the boxer is in action every week, so sparring is not so much of a priority rather than conditioning and quality tactical training is more the priority. And the further you go in the championships and the nearer the dream becomes a reality the deeper the pressure if that makes sense. Its intence. Last year just 2 lads from Hull made it to the semi's us and St Pauls. It would be nice to see more Hull clubs there to build the spirit." Said Gibbons.

"If there is a kid in the gym that deserves the success its Alex Sutton. He is always at training and gives it 2000% he could not give you any more than what he does and thats all you ask from your boxers. We will do all we can to make sure he has the best chance, but when the bell rings its down to him at the end of the day."

Sutton  chalked up some great wins last season one of the most edge of the seat fights was his last outing of the season against arch rival Jackson Windas (East Hull). This turbulant bout had everyone on their feet a real treat for anyone in attendance. This victory overturned the earlier defeat which happened in the early days of Sutton's career and now he is strongly set on National glory.