With Suggy’s Gym’s head coach Dean Sugden recently graduating as a Level 3 coach, currently the highest grade in amateur boxing, and Dieter Gent passing his Level 1, the NABC coaching team is stronger than ever and it certainly needed to be with eight bouts and two skills contests on the card on Friday evening. 

“First up for NABC  was Lias Dean Grey, showing great improvement against a really strong opponent from Birtley,” said Dean. 

“He was followed by Theo Fraser who was boxing for the first time against a taller opponent from City of Leicester Lightning. Theo showed no fear, starting fast and landing some clean shots.  

“There are no winners in skills contests but it was great experience for Lias and Theo, who were both congratulated for their skill and composure. 

“Riley Scaife was due to step into the ring next but was let down on three occasions, leading up to his final opponent pulling out on the actual day of the bout. But after training hard, this is amateur boxing and part of the learning experience. 

“Another of our boxers Harrison Gent was also let down at the last minute so he boxed out of his weight division just to gain some valuable experience ahead of  the upcoming Schools Championships. He fought a very good opponent in Rory Douglas and was unlucky to just miss out on a split decision in what was a really close contest but he proved again that he has both the heart and the attitude to go all the way.

“Jackson Daws was up against Leon Collins from Wath ABC, an opponent with exactly the same record. Jackson went straight to work, using his superior reach but controlling the space and distance with a fast switch of attacks to body and head. There was only going to be one winner in this one and, in one of the best performances of the night, Jackson won by a unanimous decision. 

“Next up was an absolute classic contest between Jude Nixon from Birtley, one of the most feared clubs in England,  a slick counter puncher who was up against an aggressive counter puncher in Newark ABC’s Joel Cook. Although it’s been a good year for Joel, this was a tough assignment on paper but Joel didn’t disappoint his supporters with an impeccable performance showing why he is a fan favourite and difficult to beat due to his tenacious fighting style.  

“After three hard fought rounds, Joel won by a split decision but no arguments from the opposite corner as Joel had the first and last day in almost all of the exchanges and at the end of the evening he was presented with the Home Fighter of The Night Award, the CharlieBoy Booth Belt, that he can be seen wearing in the pictures here.” 

As the show progressed, the wins kept coming for NABC and again against the odds as Alex Priestley defeated an unbeaten boxer from Watford and James Jordan got back to winning ways against a really tricky and strong opponent in Paraghat Singh from Fitzpatrick Gym in Leamington Spa. 

Harrison Carroll was next up for Newark ABC and boxed well in the first round but his opponent made some adjustments, coming on really strong in the second round and ultimately shortly into the third forced a stoppage after landing a huge right hand.  

Another tough contest followed for NABC’s Owen Lack against the formidable Marllious Kelly from St Paul’s in Hull. These two went toe to toe but Owen missed out on the closest of split decisions.  

Last up for Newark ABC was Chloe Davies who battled on despite pulling a muscle in her leg in the first round. This a really close contest but Chloe lost on points.  

The evening came to an end with an Elite Challenge Belt Bout between Jenson Burrows from Clifton and Danny Steele from Lions Den. After a back-and-forth affair, Jenson came out on top and was declared The East Midlands Elite Challenge Belt Champion. 

“That was a fantastic bout to finish what was a really great and competitive night of boxing for its host, Newark Amateur Boxing Club,” added Dean. 

“Well done to everyone involved in last Friday’s show, not only the boxers themselves but the team behind the scenes that’s getting stronger all the time. The results keep getting better and better, which is definitely an endorsement of that great team work

“And the weekend finished on a high with two NABC boxers progressing to the National Schools Semi Finals. Otis Pearson won by a second round stoppage and defeated another unbeaten boxer, Sartaj Shergill  from Wednesbury ABC, on the way to the finals.  

“Now Otis and John Isaac Coverdale will both travel to Newcastle next weekend to defend their crowns and Number 1 spots in England.”