City of Hull Amateur Boxing Club

All the news and gossip for the month of January 2012

CITY NEWS

TITLE SUCCESS COMES AT A PRICE FOR CITY

Saturday 28th January 2012

It was a proud day for anyone associated with the club today as all 6 boxers were still in the competition which made club history, Callum Turner was through to the National Quarter Finals and was duly given his Yorkshire Champion Badge and Vest then it was down to business for his clubmates. There was a very strong City of Hull support that were extremely noisy when the first of the City five made his way to the ring, Liam Gibbons.

A tough record of 10 fights, 8 wins 3 by stoppage gave you that feeling that on paper this bout was heavily stacked in the favour of the City boxer, however 1 of the 2 losses were recorded by the very lad that Gibbons faced today, Joe Egan who boasted an unblemished 3 fight record.

Dad (Mike Gibbons) sat nervously in the crowd as coaches Dave Kinsley and Paul Dolan made the walk to the ring, Gibbons looked incredibly confident as he climbed up on the ring skirt and climbed through the ropes in to the ring, Egan stood dancing in his corner looking across at Gibbons, this bout had that extra cutting edge to it, this was for the Yorkshire Title.

Gibbons found his range very quickly and forced Egan back, Egan was being closed down well and the defence of Gibbons made it difficult to get his shots off, Egan was against the ropes as Gibbons rained the shots in, Egan looked in trouble as the referee Lee Innes MBE looked on closely before jumping in with a manditory 8 count, waving Gibbons out of the neutral corner. Egan was stunned by the City lad who was quick to pile on the pressure again with no reply the bell came to the rescue just as the referee jumped in shouting stop, was he going to stop the contest ?

An explosive round for Gibbons with the corner 4 - 1 up in points, Gibbons was eager for the bell to sound, when it did, Gibbons was quick off the stool and forced Egan back telling shots landed to head and body, Egan looked out of his depth, the referee had seen enough and rescued Egan, Gibbons had claimed his 2nd stoppage in the competition. City had a new Yorkshire Champion !

"This bout was a real bench mark of where and how far Liam has come. This lad ran Liam close last time to a majority, but I felt did enough to win so no arguement in there, but Liam was too strong for him, he was focussed and very fit. We are really delighted for him"

Next up was Josh Kinsley, he faced Ismail Khan (Cleckheaton). Kinsley had 6 bout record which 4 were wins. He was giving away alot of experience to this lad who had a 15 bout record. Kinsley was in a focussed mood.

The opening round was a slow start for the City boxer, second to the shots as Khan started very quick and picked up the points using straight shots down the middle to Kinsley, who looked flat footed and slightly bewildered. The round was pretty much one sided and Kinsley came back 6 - 1 down, he need to change his ways quickly.

The second round was a totally new Kinsley, he re-juvinated boxer came out and backed Khan up, quality shots landed from Kinsley, working hard head to body, body to head Khan was shipping shots home, had Josh done enough to close the gap ?

9 - 4 Kinsley trailed which shocked the City corner and support in attendance, the judges had scored the second round 3 - 2 to Khan. Amazing.

This changed the shape of the contest and Kinsley had to give everything in the final round, he gave it the lot, Khan was blowing hard he for one felt the pace, Kinsley looked fresh and maintained the work rate at a consistent high level, but the shots just were not reaching the computer, Khan had won by 14 - 5 over all. A decision that left Mike Gibbons a little confused.

"I am a little upset with the scoring of this contest, simply due to the fact that it did not reflect the action in the ring. Had I not seen the scores after round 1 I may with a little persuasion seen it as a bad start, but Josh did more than enough in the 2nd and final round, I was quite stunned by the score quite frankly" Said Gibbons.

Brandon Stead's bout with Aaron Boyes (Bridlington) did not go to plan at all. Boyes range, experience and shot selection proved too much for Stead who pretty much was looking to survive, out of range Stead was falling short of his target and was being picked off by the Bridlington boxer, Stead picked up 3 warnings for holding and low movement of his head and was consequently disqualified by referee Lee Innes MBE.

"Brandon was a little out of his depth against Boyes it was that simple. The range, experience and skills were the difference between the two. I could have shown a little compassion by withdrawing him but Brandon earned the right to challenge, he did with every effort and never gave up, we are very proud of him."

Jim Bob Dixon was all to aware that the bout was for a Yorkshire Title and was aware of the unbeaten record his opponent was keen to keep intact. He also knew that his 4 bout record with 2 stoppages was not one to be sneezed at. Bradley "2 Slick" Jennings (Rawthorpe) danced confidently in his corner, while Jim Bob Dixon looked on awaiting for the first bell.

The opening round was a stale mate only 4 shots were scored which were devided between the two lads equally, Dixon looked to have the advantage through the power but it was early days to draw any real conclusions, both lads went back to their corners drawing at 2 - 2.

The second round Jim Bob made more of a break in the points, picking Jennings off as he came forward and moving out of range well, his southpaw movement created problems for Jennings who found himself missing and falling short. Dixon had chalked up a 5 point lead going into the final round.

The last round Dixon walked his man down and landed hard with blows that were taking full effect on the Huddersfield boxer who was looking to get out of the way of Dixon, a late flurry by Jennings put the bout into the balance but the judges had it heavily in favour of Dixon.

"I felt Jim Bob did more than a enough to win the contest but the scoring again was a little harsh on the Jennings corner, I felt the lad scored more than he got awarded. I know people say about computer scoring but some of the scores on the night seemed a little hard to understand."

"Taking nothing away from Jim Bob he boxed well, very well and we look forward to his next bout against the Merseyside Champion in the next round!"

Last but no least Tom Arnell made his entrance, fired up and ready for the challenge ahead of him. He faced Josh Clark (Ernie Oxers) who had only lost 3 out of 12 bouts. Arnell though had the experience, he forced Clark back early and landed a flurry of shots to the midrift of Clark who had to soak up the pressure, the city corner was very pleased by the start of their lad but were stunned by the scoring (again) when it came back that Arnell was down 2 -1.

Arnell had to keep his foot on the gas hoping that Clark faded, but instead he stood off and Clark was able to find his range and pick his shots to great effect, Arnell was in his own corner moving away when the hook to the body swept in and crashed into the floating rib of Arnell who winsed in pain, the bout was over and referee Jack Goodwin was forced to count his man out. Arnell eventually made a full recovery, a great shot by Clark.

"Again its a case of a shot that comes in from a bad angle, this took the wind out of Tommys sails and we knew it was over when it landed. A great gesture by Clarky who rushed to Tom and console him, he is gutted but he knows it was a good shot that beat him. He will be back"

So the cost of 3 leave the competition in Joshua Kinsley, Brandon Stead and Tom Arnell while the trio will still be there routing for the remaining 3 that make the trip to Everton Park.

Liam Gibbons, Jim Bob Dixon and Callum Turner.

STEAD BOOKS HIS PLACE IN THE FINAL

Friday 20th January

Brandon Stead (City of Hull) joins the rest of his clubmates in the Yorkshire Finals next Saturday after beating fellow rival Brendan Jackson (Hard & Fast).

Stead showed his awkward prowness in a contest that was pretty close as both lads had their successful ups and downs however it was Stead that got the judges decision.

Jackson came out of a historic club in Hard & Fast that has had many champions come through their doors over the years, nostalger was not in the mind of Stead as he made the trip to Doncaster in this 50kg Class 3 Yorkshire Semi Final on the undercard of the Tom Hill ABC Show.

Stead will now face Aaron Boyes (Bridlington) who is in exciting form, this will be a tough bout as Mike Gibbons conceded.

"Brandon has worked incredibly hard to get to this point and he deserves a shot at the Yorkshire Title, Boyes is a tough lad, very skillful but Brandon is very awkward and I am hoping this may balance the bout out a little. He does have a tough draw though, we will have to see what happens"

The rest of the draw has taken place. Callum Turner safely through to the National Quarter Finals it is rumoured he will face Christian Harvey (Gemini, Liverpool). Liam Gibbons will face Joe Egan (Barnsley Star), Josh Kinsley will face Ismail Khan (Cleckheaton), Tom Arnell will face Josh Clark (Ernie Oxers) and Jim Bob Dixon will face Bradley Jennings (Rawthorpe).

"All the lads have tough tests after all this is the Yorkshire Finals. We are hearing Christian Harvey's name for Callum which is yet to be confirmed but that is in the future. Liam will be looking to overturn the points defeat against Joe Egan, Josh and Toms opponents I have not seen or am aware too much of where Jim Bob's opponent we are aware of and hope to get our tactics right on the day."

GIBBONS EXPLODES ONTO CHAMPIONSHIPS SCENE

Saturday 14th January 2012

It took just 48 seconds of the opening round to book his place into the the Class 1 40kg Yorkshire Final after he wasted not time to brush aside his Sheffield opponent. Gibbons is set for his showdown against the only lad in Yorkshire that boasts a win over him Joe Egan.

Gibbons (12 years old) came into the competition with 7 wins from 9 bouts, 2 inside the distance and was one of the quiet prospects the club have held close to their chest, however this card is well and truly now in play. His opponent came from the Unity boxing club in Sheffield and had a respectable 3 wins from 5 contests, he posed a threat and would have been in a strong frame of mind going into this against Gibbons who was the back of the upsetting points defeat against National Champion Peter Smith (Darlington).

Gibbons had the reach, height, experience and as it turned out the power. A positive start by the sheffield youngster while Gibbons found his range, once he had there writing was on the wall. Fast hands, accurate punching and nice power rocked the Sheffield boxers head back, referee Trevor Pyes issued the first count inside 25 seconds of the opening round, after waving the City of Hull youngster who piled on the pressure straight away forcing the hand of the referee who waved it off, this was a record stoppage win for Gibbons and for the club.

With Gibbons safely through to the final, clubmates Josh Kinsley, Tom Arnell and Jim Bob Dixon all recieved walk overs to the Final only Callum Turner who has been given a walk over to the National Quarter Finals.

Brandon Stead will face Brendan Jackson (Hard & Fast) in Doncaster on Friday in his Yorkshire Semi Final.

"This was a proud moment for the club, 6 lads entered the competition and we still have the 6 in action come the Yorkshire Championship Final, we are delighted." Said Gibbons.

"Liams performance was breathtaking, he was sharp and hard hitting. He has trained extremely hard for this and has made a lot of sacrifices so he got his due reward."

The boxers will now enjoy a 2 week gap and will put their work in the gym during this rest bite. Watching this quick stoppage win was Joe Eagan (Barnsley Star) who was sat in the audience with his dad, has he got the key to unlock Gibbons again ?

JON KEMP TO RUN A MARATHON BACKWARDS FOR CITY !

Friday 13th January 2012

City of Hull's own Jon Kemp will be nicknamed "The Marathon Man" is in training to accomplish what the club has called their biggest sponsored event in the clubs history, Jon Kemp will be running the Hull Marathon, backwards.

The Hull Marathon which is set to start in Queens Gardens on Sunday 8th April 2012 and will take a route out of the city centre and hit parts of the city including Anlaby road, Boothferry Road, Hessle High Road, Hessle, Humber Bridge and back, the A63 back down into Victoria Dock eventually finishing back at Queens Gardens measures the Marathon distance of 26.2 Miles and although the course is flat still poses as a real challenge to Kemp (33 years old). Kemp has already completed the Humber Bridge Half Marathon 13.2 Miles course running this backwards has told us that afterwards he could not walk properly for weeks however is pleased he has completed it.

The challenges that could cause Kemp problems are few but key to his success or failure which is after speaking to him not an option. One key issue is the weather, bad winds or a blazing hot day could force Kemp to change his tactical approach, the other factor you need to consider is fatigue, the body is not designed to run such a distance backwards, running backwards you need to keep on your toes (balls of the feet), so he needs to keep injury free in his preparation, neck strain is another issue that could cause complications.

When asked why is he doing this, Kemp told the website:

"Why do people smoke, why do people drink, socialise the list can go on. Thats their enjoyment, mine is taking my body out of the comfort zone and feeling the pain. It may sound sadistic but its true. There is no other challenge like this that will put me through this barrier quite like this will"

"Additionally, almost a bonus this will raise some great publicity for the club and if my pain and suffering will help raise money for City of Hull Amateur Boxing Club then so be it, bring it on" Said Kemp who joined the club back in November last year.

Head Coach Mike Gibbons was not lost for words for Jon Kemp.

"Jon is a fitness fanatic, he fears little when it comes to pushing your body through some ultimate challenges. I could not imagine running a marathon normally, never mind backwards. He looks at this as the ultimate challenge and relishes the opportunity not only to accomplish his goal but to help the kids in the club with sponsorship he raises, which is truly amazing." Said Gibbons.

We will continue to report Jon Kemp's progress in training and much more coverage will be in the media over the coming months, everyone that supports the club will want to encourage Jon and wish him the very best success, as a club we will be there at the start line as well as at the finish to cheer him over the finish line.