CITY NEWS

ALEX SUTTON MARCHES TO SEMI FINALS 

Thursday 24th November 2011

Alex Sutton (City of Hull) has surpassed his season objective by booking his place in the National Novice Semi Finals where he faces the Royal Navy's Glen Coe for a place in the National final, he did this by out pointing a pre-tournament favourate in Mohammed Hussain (Wellington Boxing Academy) on a score card of 14 points to 13.

A very confident Hussain climbed into the ring and danced over to the Sutton team corner smashing his gloves together in a statement of intent before springing back to his own corner for the referee to carry out his formality of checks. When the MC announced his name he moved his right arm, sliding his glove across his neck before pointing at Sutton who stood calmly looking on.

The opening round was one of which that saw little between the two quarter finalists, Sutton had his success with straight shots down the middle and switching to the body well, while Hussain in his nice and tidy style looked to pick off Sutton in the exchanges. Sutton looked to have edged the round with the better work rate, Hussain looked second to the punches each time, Sutton looked the more stronger and physical between the two. The score was 4 - 4 at the end of the opening round.

The second round, Sutton subsided a little allowing Hussain back into the contest enjoyed some good spells of pressure on Sutton how tried to cover up on the ropes, this time it was the Midlands fighter that was first to the shot and Sutton was falling short, still as the round aged Sutton moved back into the bout with some superb body shots and counter shots to the head, Hussain returned to his corner 7 - 6 to the good.

The 3rd round was where Sutton took charge and worked Hussain onto his back foot who was beginning to feel the pace, solid shots to the head and nice movement caused the Wellington boxer problems as Sutton changed his angles well and slipping in a variety of shots to the head and body, Sutton was back in contention and with a round to go the score cards showed a marginal lead of 11 - 9 in favour of Sutton.

In the final round the urgency was in both lads work, Hussain knew he had a deficit to claw back and Sutton knew that he need to increase his lead if was to progress. Both lads mixed it up well, showing great fitness and boxing skills that showed why they were both in this stage of the National Championships, Sutton with solid head and body shots, Hussain trying to counter but was falling short of the target, Sutton countered well but the round was extremely close. Sutton had beaten the pre tournament favourate by 14 points to 13 to progress to the Semi Finals in Liverpool on December 3rd where he faces another test against last years runner up Glen Coe (Royal Navy).

"He boxed well, he stuck to the game plan and produced a career best performance against a cracking lad in Hussain. He can be pleased with himself and he has now shown why he deserves to in this competition, it has not been easy for the lad his training has been tough, but he has now got his reward by being one bout away from a National title shot." Said Gibbons.

"He faces Glen Coe (CSBA), a strong lad that will no doubt be very fit. Glen was beaten 18 points to 11 in the final last year and we have seen footage of him so it gives us an insight of what we are to face next month. For now though, Alex can enjoy his win and get back on it in preparation to his next installment in these championships." Finished Head Coach Mike Gibbons.

The semi final will be to decide the North of England champion and will be held at the Everton Park Leisure Centre, Great Homer Street, Liverpool on December 3rd.

CALLUM TURNER IN EXPLOSIVE START TO SEASON

Following his fantastic result down in Kent, Turner made the trip to Merseyside to face Christian Harvey (Gemini) last seasons National Schools Finalist. Turner knew he had a job on his hands but he knew this when he faced Joe Tindall.

The game plan was set and practiced and they knew what the they needed to do as the Callum Team left for Liverpool.

Turner stuck to this game plan well, and the opening round was pretty much a stalemate, Harvey was waiting for Turner to make the move, Turner did the same and both lads moved around the ring with shots falling short frustrating both boxers as they returned to their corners.

In the second round Turner found his range better and scored some quality shots, Harvey found himself needing to push Turner back, Turner obliged but with angle changes sometimes catching the advancing Harvey, the balance was leaning towards Turner as the pair stood and traded in the ring.

The final round was a battle of technical ability, skill and fitness, who was edging it ? Turner landed with a lead hand followed up by a timely back hand, it was close and being away from home there was a risk of the decision slipping away. Turner upped the gears and forced the issue with Harvey, who tried to respond.

The bout came to an end and the virdict was unanimous all 3 judges went for Turner in a quality little bout.

"This meant so much to Callum, Harvey is one of the lads that have genuinely taken a result away from him, so to take back that win is worth its weight in gold and against a very good opponent. Callum has to be pleased with his progress this season two quality wins over 2 top lads set him a real chance looking ahead to the schools championships in the new year"

Harvey was narrowly beaten by Joe Tindall (St Marys, Kent) and now Turner has earned wins over both lads which are favourates in the championships, this puts the City of Hull star in the mix as ones to watch come the new year.

"His dedication and commitment to his training has proved to be major factors in his results. He is for sure one to watch out for in the future" Said Gibbons. 

KINSLEY WINS BACK PRIDE

Thursday 17th November 2011 

In boxing you will always come across the rivalry, the banter and the upsets of defeat. Tonight Joshua Kinsley (City of Hull) earned the bragging rights over arch rival Aiden Kelly (Malthouse) but despite a blistering 3rd round which decided the 39kg bout something tells us this wont be the end of the matter, as the two meet again on December 2nd at the SYD show for all final showdown decider.

For now though, Kinsley can relish the fact he beat the only lad that has scored a win against him way back at the beginning of the year on his own show. That night was in his thoughts when he climbed into the ring at the East Hull Show tonight and when he looked across at the Rotherham based opponent, Kinsley was inspired by the emotions of that night.

The first round was a close round, the exchanges were clinical. Both lads cautious to over commit however you felt Kinsley edged the earlier exchanges as the negotiations gained pace Kelly was keen to put his own mark on the fight. Lead and back hand head shots from Kinsley found their target, Kelly replied with clinical shots of his own to the head of Kinsley, the bout was going to be a thriller.

The second round was Kelly's Kinsley sat in the ropes and Kelly enjoyed a good spell of pressure working shots in from head and body, the look of concern was across the faces of the Kinsley corner, was history about to repeat itself.

After a hard word from Father / Coach Dave Kinsley in the corner, Kinsley rose from his stool with a different expression on his face. There was a sense of urgency in his work as he produced a career best round. He was catching Kelly clean with a whole barrage of shots, Kelly appeared to have no reply to Kinsley who had picked up his pace. Body shots crashed into the ribs of Kelly, who tried to cover up in the corner, the bout had swung yet again this time in the favour of the home lad, Kinsley was on the verge of a glorious win.

The points confirmed Kelly's fate, Kinsley jumped into the arms of his dad in the corner showing the exact emotion everyone that knew Kinsley felt, an emotional moment. Kelly V Kinsley 3 is December 2nd, this will be one match not to be missed.

"Josh boxed to instruction, in the second round he eased off the gas a little which allowed Kelly back into the fight. We need to be a little more careful next time as Kelly had complained about an injured hand so he will be fired up for the final showdown. Taking nothing away from Josh, a cracking win for him and now he can work towards their next fight, one im confident that Josh has every ability to win again, but he needs to be on top of his game to do this as Kelly is a great lad." Said Head Coach Mike Gibbons. 

CITY PAIR IMPRESS IN SOUTHERN COUNTIES

30kg Callum Turner rocked the Southern Counties crowd in front of a packed house at the glitzy Merlins Nightclub in Kent when he outpointed the very much fancied Joe Tindall (St Marys). Tindall was on the back of a fantastic win over National Schools finalist Christian Harvey (Gemini, Liverpool), Harvey beat Turner in their last meeting so this proved a real challenge for the yorkshire based lad.

Turner set to his task well, boxing very smart and picking his shots intelligently causing the countering style of Tindall to miss as he tried to catch Turner with his lead hook, Turner moved in scored his shots and moved out of range well in some very clean clinical exchanges.

Turner returned to his corner after the first and congratulated by his corner which consisted of Mike Gibbons and Dave Kinsley. Turner returned for the second session and scored well, Tindall began to settle and enjoyed some success when Turner stuck around a little too long, the bout was in the full swing of excitement and the crowd loved the display of boxing that was unfolding infront of them. 

The bout reached its conclusion and the score card showed Turner got the nod from 2 out of 3 judges to take the bout on a majority points win.

Clubmate Chelsey Arnell felt a little hard done by, the team thought they was facing a girl with a similar record however was not informed that Louise Orton (St Marys) had secured the British Kick Boxing title, she proved difficult for Arnell as the the experience showed, although Arnell stayed with her and tried to match her, catching Orton late in the 3rd sending the Kent Girls head back making the crowd sound their concern as their girl looked hurt for a moment, the points were stacked in the favour of the home girl and Chelsey lost out on the wrong side of a unanimous decision.

Head Coach summed the visit up with this statement.

"Both boxers gave it their everything tonight, we are very proud of them. Callum could not have boxed any better than he did, and he can be pleased with himself knowing he beat a very good lad in Joe, Chelsey was dealt a tough card really as I felt that had I have known Louise's back ground I would not have taken the bout, buy still it was good experience for Chelsey and a performance she can take a lot from. We were made so very welcome and we thank the St Marys team and Merlins Nightclub complex for making our stay brilliant" Said Mike Gibbons. 

DIXON MAKES IT 4 OUT OF 4!

Saturday 5th November 2011 

Jim Bob Dixon is one to watch over the coming season as he has just recorded his 2nd stoppage win inside 4 bouts and continues his undefeated run of rich form.

He faced the undefeated Umad Ahmad (Unity) who boasted a 2 an 0 record. Despite Dixon coming into this one with 3 wins from 3 there was evident confidence in the Sheffield dressing room when Dixon approached the scales. Scaling a kilo lighter than Ahmad, Dixon was relaxed and in good spirits.

The opening round was Dixon's, catching Ahmad with the cleaner shots. His foot movement confused his opponent and Dixon was able to counter well. A clean flurry of shots forced referee Mr Trevor Pyes to give a standing 8 count to Ahmad who stood protesting. From the point Ahmad became scrappy, holding onto Dixon and coming in low with his head, referee Mr Pyes patience ran out after issuing countless cautions and took a point off Ahmad. So now a warning and a count to his name Ahmad had it all to do in the next round.

The second round Ahmad worked his way into the contest more, catching Dixon with big shots however Dixon replied with a thank card of his own big shots, the crowd loved it. Dixon once more exhibited good boxing skills and picked his opponent well in particular his back hand to the head. Once more Ahmad came in holding onto Dixon and once more the referee took another point, patience of Ahmad had gone, dangerously coming in with his head, the referee gave him all the opportunity he could and benefit of the doubt before waving it off and disqualifying Ahmad.

Dixon was well ahead on the sore cards and was not too concerned about the stoppage he and his team were satisfied with  his performance and was confident that had the bout run the course it would have been a good performance regardless.

"Delighted with Jim Bob, he has listened to instructions and boxed very well. He is still learning his trade and every bout that comes along adds another block of learning. He is far from the finished product but boy is he developing" laughed Gibbons.

So Jim Bob makes it 4 out of 4 and looks a tough task for anyone he shares the ring with, potentially a National Schools Champion ?