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 CITY NEWS

 DOUBLE BLOW FOR CITY DUO!

Saturday 29th October 

Alex Sutton dropped a shock decision to Hyltoncastle Joe Simpson in what the Sutton camp was hoping for a routine win ahead of Sutton's national title campaign. However Simpson had his own agenda and re-wrote the script to stun Sutton and romp home to a unanimous points win.

Sutton started well and settled the quickest in the scheduled 4 rounder, catching Simpson to both head and body well. Simpson struggled to settle at first and was forced to soak up some punishment in the early exchanges which gave Sutton and early lead going into the second round.

Sutton picked up where he left off in the second, we felt at ringside that Sutton was going to take the fight comfortably as the early part of the second unfolded however we were wrong, Simpson came to life and began to ask Sutton some telling questions, sitting back behind single lead jabs, Sutton was being outreached and outscored by the taller Simpson. All of a sudden the Sutton supporters were uneasy with the action they was watching.

This unrest was extended by the 3rd, Sutton appeared to have switched off he had no answers for Simpsons change in gear and a rather lethargic  Sutton stood off and allowed the north east boxer to operate and having time Simpson was able to build a comfortable lead over Sutton.

The final round the hope was back in Suttons work, he began to close the range down and Simpson found himself  back on his back foot. Sutton had come to life but was his late surge too late to save the fight, it left the crowd guessing. The judges had scored Simpson the winner and there was no contesting from the City corner.

Ashley Rosenberg surprised York star Paul Gordon and onlookers with a terrific effort taking Gordon out of stride and forcing him into a toe to toe war. Some strong words from the York corner in particular coach Billy Wilson and Gordon began to come alive as the fight matured.

By the 4th Rosenberg looked jaded and Gordon began to run with the contest. A real crowd pleaser, despite dropping the decision Rosenberg was very upbeat with his contribution.

LIAM GIBBONS AIMS FOR GLORY!

Wednesday 19th October 2011

Young City star Liam Gibbons has been in explosive form through out last season he was rewarded for his efforts as the Most Improved Junior Boxer of the Year and was very close in taking the Junior Boxer of the Year of award following his sensational 7 wins from 8 contests despite coming across some tough tests towards the end of the season with back to back wins against Joe McKenzie (Birtley), Kelvin Quinn (Wombwell & Dearn) as well as beating Finley Hobson (Steel City). His rich vein of form has inspired his clubmates and has been tipped for big things come the championships this year, however first he has to get by tough Mansfield youngster Nico "Rocky" Leivars who is also doing very well in the Notts & Lincs region.

Leivars brings with him a 6 win from 9 contest record and will be a timely test for the Urban Warrior. Mansfield Amateur Boxing Club are turning out some good skillful boxers and the City team are not taking this bout lightly.

"The one rule that is drilled into all the boxers is have respect for your opponent. We have respect for Leivars who has shown he is one to watch. Both lads have good records, Liam has been tested against some of the best in Yorkshire of late and come through them tests well, this is another test as I believe the two will probably meet in the Schools Championships anway" Said Mike Gibbons (Coach & Father).

"Liam has been sparring with his brother (Ryan) who himself is one to watch, also Josh Kinsley who has only dropped one decision in 4 contests, he is tall and rangy and has proved good for Liam's movement and shot selection. While Ryan is a fierce pressure fighter, who has drawn Liam into tough exchanges, so we feel we are well prepared for this next week."

Gibbons is also a keen footballer, and one of his teams joint top scorers, so you could say he is a fit all round sports person that relishes a challenge, come Friday at the Kingston show Gibbons will be hoping for his 8th win in what will be his 9th contest, however this is not going to be easy.

"Liam showed us last season that he is tenacious, he has a competitive streak in his veins, his ring entrance is Bryan Adams "Gonna Win" and this song quite honestly reflects his mentality."

Support will be welcomed by Liam and the team on the Kingston ABC Show at Kingston gym on Hessle High Road, Hull on Friday 28th October. Boxing starts approx 8:30pm.

SUTTON IS CROWNED YORKSHIRE BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMP !

City of Hull's latest champion Alex Sutton is said to have mixed feelings about his title, he is thrilled to pick up the Class B 54kg crown however is disappointed as he was unable to compete for it.

It was a surprise to outside the club to hear that Sutton had dropped to Bantamweight from Featherweight however this weight really does seem to suit Sutton well according to his coaching team.

"Alex said to me that he thought he could do 54kg, Mike felt he would make a strong bantam, so we tasked him with a weight loss programme, but we wanted him to do this safely with out draining power or energy" said club City assistant coach Dave Kinsley.

"I spoke to Mike as he was flying out on Holiday, he gave us a time limit of one week to get somewhere near, as he we didnt want to weaken Alex. However, Alex proved to us he could make the weight fine and is very strong for it. We have chosen to keep him at Bantam." Finished Kinsley.

Sutton was due to compete on Friday 14th October but no one had entered the competition at this weight in Yorkshire, which meant that Sutton is awarded the Yorkshire title by walk over, he will represent Yorkshire against the Midlands on November 20th, it is believed to be in Worksop however venue details have not yet been released by either region.

Mike Gibbons who has been quite the statistics guy for the last 2 years which has helped in predicting opponents and styles, he has already identified that Sutton could face a lad from Wellington ABC in Mohammed Hussain a lad that has dropped just 5 decisions in 12 a record very simular to Sutton who has won 8 lost 7.

"There is nothing for definate with in the Midlands at the moment as they are still to box their association finals, but it looks like young Hussain (18) has had a walk over to the pre-quarters like Alex, we await the confirmation from Yorkshire but it looks like this is our man" Said Gibbons.

"I am fine with who ever I get, to be honest I am just looking forward to competing. I am more focussed than ever right now and I am in the best shape ever. I know I am just 3 bouts away from a shot at a national title, its my dream to lift a national title" Said Sutton.

ARNELL RECORDS FIRST WIN !

Chelsey Arnell has kicked her 2011/12 season off in style with a strong performance over a very mature and strong opponent in Helen Robson who boxes out of the historic club Hyltoncastle & Townend Farm ABC. Robson who had the age over Arnell 12 years in total, however Arnell had already boxed where this was Robson's debut so a match well made between the clubs at 58kg, the contest went the distance.

Arnell was the one that started the quicker and found the target with lead and back hand shots, her shots to the body was defended well by the North East boxer who countered back. Arnell found her range and picked her punches in a contest that enthralled onlookers as well as the small City crowd that made the trip.

The second round Arnell eased off which allowed Robson back into the contest, by far Robson's best round of the contest and at times backed Arnell up. Latter part of the round and the final round Arnell found her range again and picked the punches to score an impressive unanimous points verdict by the 3 judges at ringside.

"I was buzzing to get my first win, although I need to work on my cardio as my fitness was lacking in the second. But I am happy with my performance and delighted to score my first win for the club" Said the 21 year old City Senior Female.

"She boxed well and controlled the bout, the was a point in the second round where Chelsey took a breather or dropped off the pace, but she got it together and moved back into the driving seat with a sound effort, we are proud of her." Said Chelsey's Coach Dave Kinsley.

It was not good news or a good outcome for City clubmate Brandon Stead who was on the wrong end of the decision in a very scrappy and untidy contest against Alan Coombes who boxed out of the championship gym of Spennymoor, County Durham.

Coombes surprised the City team with an unorthodox style, that very similar to Stead, however was untidy in their exchanges which led to the North East boxer recieving 2 cautions in the second round. With 2 points off Coombes score card, the City corner were confident going into the 3rd round, it was a close affair. Instructed not to get involved, Stead went against his corners advice and mixed it up, already been verbally warned by the referee, Stead found himself getting points deducted, 2 in total this levelled the card and a unanimous verdict was read out in favour of the home boxer. A decision none of the City corner challenged.

"All he had to do was box him in the last round, and in my opinion he would have snatched it, it was a close untidy bout, that could have gone either way. A fare decision  on reflection" Said Dave Kinsley. 

DIXON LOOKING TO PICK UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF

19th October 2011

JIM Bob Dixon finished last season in remarkable form, winning all 3 in stunning fashion. 1 of which was in side the distance. His opening contest was against Mateen Haidar Saxby (Ozbox), Chesterfield. Saxby was unbeaten in 2 and this was Dixons debut, a calculation from his camp was due to the length of time Dixon had been around the gym, they felt confident to give the experience away.

Dixon's shots were crisp and clinical, picking his opponent off with nice timed shots that offset his opponents stance, who was found falling short with this shots. From this performance and consequent win, he earned praise from the officials.

His second win was against Sakir Ullah (Nechells Green) Birmingham. Ullah came with plenty of aggression however struggled to find the range with Dixon who moved in and out. There was a height difference and Ullah was giving plenty away in reach also which made the job harder, with fading energy levels Dixon worked well his shots, the bout was halted by the Ullah Corner.

With 2 wins under his belt, a true test was laid down in the name of Tom Abbott (Sandygate) in lancashire. Dixon was giving away height and age on this one, the older Abbott looked the more physical, he looked very strong. When the two came together it was a steady development in the work of Dixon who got through with some telling body shots, a contest that exhibited two young lads that wanted to win, Dixon had the better success and claimed the nod from all 3 judges to finish the season on a 3 and 0 record also scooping the "Most Exciting New Comer" award at the City of Hulls Presentation evening.

So a new season looms for the 14 year old who has his sights set on the National Schools Championships, some have said it will take someone quite special to de-rail him. However his next opponent has been named and also poses a real threat. Unity ABC, Sheffield famously renowned for the birth of Prince Naseem Hamed, Bomber Graham, Junior Whitter and Jonny Nelson to name a few. This new starlet goes by the name of Umad Ahmad who is unbeaten in 2, so as the great MC's says "Somebody's O has to go!".

His coach Mike Gibbons had this to say about his young star in the making.

"Jimbo is very mature for his age mentally, he has been around boxing since around 2008 seriously taking it up only a last year. Since then he has grown in ability and confidence. We have tested him in the past and perhaps this next test is his biggest yet, however to develop you need to come out of your comfort zone and compete at a higher level."

"Ahmad comes from a gym that is historic, they are normally very confident boxers and capable boxers. So this is another question to be added to Jimbo and I am sure he has the skills to deal with most things thrown at him. He too is a very capable lad and I have high hopes for him in the future."

Dixon will travel to Hellaby Hall, Old Hellaby Lane, Sheffield on  Thursday 3rd November, seats available to make the journey to Sheffield however it goes to the club first, first come first served. We will give you an update as soon as it happens.

CITY TRIO INJURY WOES

Wednesday 19th October 2011

Kai Gibson, Thomas Arnell (pictured) and Brandon Stead are all out of action at the moment with injuries preventing them from competing any time soon. Gibson has a problematic knee injury that will take some time to heal preventing him to do any road work or even skipping, two fundamentally important elements to any boxers training schedule, this could rule him out until after christmas however his coaches remain hopeful he will be back in action sooner rather than later. His physio is still going well and Head Coach Mike Gibbons said he wont be rushed in Gibson's recovery.

"The lad is frustrated about it, we share this with him, however ignoring physio advice would be negligible and counter productive for Kai. We need to play the waiting game to ensure he returns fully fit and raring to go"

When asked would this effect his championship hopes Mike said this:

"His recovery is the most important thing. Anything else is secondary at this point in time. We hope he will still go ahead into the championships as he is a good lad, but only if he is 100% fit and has had time to prepare" Finished Gibbons.

Brandon Stead and Thomas Arnell both have damaged thumbs, Arnell broke his thumb in sparring while sparring with Jim Bob Dixon and Stead chipped a bone in his thumb during his last contest with Comby (Spennymoor). Both injuries have repaired quite quickly and Mike Gibbons expects them back late November maybe Decemember.

"Both lads had bad knocks, this has sidelined them and as they are both keen boxers their frustrated by this however they know and appreciate the healing process sometimes take time, but we will welcome them back into the squad come december latest I feel"