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Team Leigh Boxer Katie Smith was the victim of a shameless robbery at the Female ABA National Championship Heavyweight Final today in Portsmouth. Facing the hopelessly outgunned Leeann McDonald of Launceston & North Cornwall ABC. Katie was in control of the bout from the first bell, landing clean shots while continually backing up her opponent. Katie continued the onslaught throughout, giving McDonald a standing eight count and in the eyes of everyone in the building had clearly won the title. The judges, who had been producing "home" results all day then contrived to produce a score of 31-28 in favour of the Launceston boxer.
An official complaint was lodged by Katie's coach Jenn Turner and North West Region Secretary Kevin Williams, which resulted in the scores of the judges being revealed showing that 3 out of the 5 judges had Katie winning but as the other two judges had scored a draw and a landslide score in favour of Mcdonald the total scores saw a two point loss for the Leigh boxer !
Katie Smith did the club proud today, won the fight, won the title but suffered as so many have before at the hands of corrupt judging. Katie took the decision and is determined to come back stronger.
Leigh ABC light-welterweight finished the club season off in style on Friday evening in the Wirral, with a unanimous points win over Tom Ollerhead of Wallasey ABC.
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The latest sell-out Team Leigh Boxing show at Lowton Civic Hall saw a great evenings entertainment with 13 close bouts between Leigh ABC and a talented Scotland Select Squad. Wins for Lewis Clark, Ben Grimshaw, Michael Connor, Adam Ridge, Tom Jones, Michael Grayson, Craig Boardman and Andy Hayes saw the home team take an 8-5 win. Fourteen year old Michael Connor of Westleigh High School again stole the show with a dominant and heavy hitting points win over Scottish National champion and Britsh Championships Bronze medalist Liam Sandford of Forgewood. Michael was on the attack from the first bell catching his startled opponent with thunderous right hands and left hooks, and forcing a standing eight count in the first round. The Scottish visitor though showed great courage and weathered the continued bombardment from the Leigh boxer to see out the round. The second and third round saw Michael unleash his boxing talents as he continually scored with fast jabs, backhands and combinations to take a unanimous points win and the Tommy Sargeant Boxer of the Night Trophy.
Most popular winner of the night was 14 year old Ben Grimshaw, of St. Mary’s High School, who overcame recent setbacks to take a unanimous points victory and the Elliothire Junior Boxer of the Night Trophy, over Robert McGinney of Irvine. His win was matched by a great display of controlled boxing by 11 year old Lewis Clark, who recorded his first points win over Paul Coyle of Glasgow.
Despite going down to a controversial points decision, the Collins & Darwell Senior Boxer of the Night Trophy went to eighteen year old super-featherweight Isaac McCann who was having his debut contest opposite the more experienced and older Dan Wisinewski. Isaac displayed a great variety of shots and a calmness way beyond novice level. The club have high hopes for this young boxer.
Super Heavyweight Michael Grayson taking on Jamie McLaughlin and welterweight Craig Boardman facing Scottish National Finalist Jamie Bell of Irvine, were both set tough assignments, but battled through for unanimous points wins
Fourteen year old Bedford High School boxer Adam Ridge once again put on a classy display of boxing to take a points victory over Scottish National Finalist Connor Wallace of Kilmarnock, while there was a devastating display of power punching from Leigh ABC light-heavyweight Andy Hayes who stopped Paul Foster of the Ace club in the second round.
In an absorbing and brutal contest, multi-titled 16 year old Leigh ABC light-heavyweight Tom Jones took a points win over the very strong ABA semi-finalist Stephen Johnson.
In other contests, 11 year old Westleigh High School pupil Sean Connor suffered a majority points defeat to Kilmarnock’s Alec Kennedy, while Bedford High School’s Cameron Pierce was outscored by Paul Hope of the Northwest club. Leigh ABC light-welterweight Phil Hervey once again was involved in an enjoyable but very close contest, this time against the Scottish squad’s Ross Mason, losing out on points while Jaymi Price was defeated by Jordan Backhouse.
Team Leigh Boxing lightweight Jonny Brown just missed out in his first National Final on Saturday afternoon, losing on points to the very tall but talented Gage Demore of Guernsey based Almalgamated ABC. In front a of a large crowd at the Royal Navy ABA Junior Championship Finals at Barnsley Metrodome, seventeen year old Jonny could never quite close down his rangy opponent, and despite giving everything he had, was beaten by a 13-7 points score. Jonny has now shown though that he can comfortably compete amongst the very top junior boxers in the country, and is now officially placed at No. 2 in the National ABA ratings.
Team Leigh Boxing finalised preparations for Friday's match-up against a quality looking Scotland Select Squad at Lowton Civic Hall. The full line-up can be seen on www.leighboxing.com (upcoming bouts)
England number 3 Michael Connor will be taking on Scottish Champion Liam Sandford, while there is a bout between National Semi-Finalists with our own Tom Jones taking on Stephen Johnson. The experienced Craig Boardman is up against Scottish National Finalist Jamie Bell, a super-heavyweight bout features the popular Michael Grayson against unbeaten Scottish boxer Jamie McLoughlin, while National quarter finalists Adam Ridge and Sean Connor both face tough opposition in Western District Champions Connor Wallace and Alec Kennedy. Thirteen bouts in all in what promises a great evening of Amateur Boxing. Entry by ticket only. Doors open at 7pm. First bout at 7.30pm (hopefully) Bar open till 11.30pm
17 year old Leigh ABC lightweight Jonny Brown yesterday put in a top class performance to win the Junior ABA 60kg class National Semi-Final at the Excel Centre in Bolton. Facing the top rated and powerful Ben Atkinson of Long Lane ABC of Merseyside, Jonny produced the best performance of his young career so far to take a close points decision.
North West Region ABA Schoolboy Champion Adam Ridge continued his fine run of form on Friday evening with a classy display of controlled boxing to outpoint talented Ben Beswick of Skerton ABC at Formby Hall, Atherton.
Image: Craig Evans & Leigh ABC Squad
Professional boxer Craig Evans was at Leigh Boxing & Fitness Centre on thursday as he continued preparations for his debut bout on the undercard of the Mitchell v Katsidis World Title fight at Upton Park, London on May 15th. Craig, the current Senior ABA Lightweight National Champion and British Champion has signed with Frank Warren and is being trained by Lee Beard and Adrian Fleming in Manchester.
After a morning training session alongside stablemates Dean Harrison, the current Central Area Light Welterweight Champion, and Marcus Morrison, Dean came to Leigh ABC for an evening sparring session where he sparred 10 rounds with NACYP National Semi-Finalist Tom Jones, Junior ABA National Semi-Finalist Jonny Brown along with the experienced Craig Boardman and Phil Hervey.
Meanwhile there were excellent sparring sessions involving Michael Grayson, Paul Winstanley, Isaac McCann, Jaymi Price, Jordan Lewis, Sean Connor and Lewis Clark.
Seven new boxers last night completed their ABA medicals and registered to represent Leigh ABC so continuing the impressive list of boxers produced at Leigh Boxing & Fitness Centre. In Katie Smith and 15 year old Carlie Unsworth the club now looks certain to have its first competitive female boxer in the very near future. Joining them were light heavyweight Andy Hayes, lightweights Danny Jones and Isaac McCann alongside 10 year old Jordan Lewis and 9 year old Billy Mullen.
Image: Billy Mullen
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An excellent sparring session on saturday morning when Moss Side ABC were the latest visitors to Leigh Boxing & Fitness Centre. Michael Connor, Jaymi Price, Cameron Pierce, Sean Connor, Adam Ridge and Tom Jones took part in some quality sparring with experienced Moss Side boxers Michael Dillon, Ben Wood and Mike Hewson alongside a number of talented newcomers.
Sixteen year old Jonny Brown won his 4th ABA title on saturday afternoon in Gorton, Manchester when taking a unanimous points victory over Sandygate ABC's Sam Hayward in the North West Region Junior ABA Championship Final.
In Lancaster there were unanimous points wins for fourteen year old Michael Connor who beat the current Scottish Schoolboy Champion, John Grier, and for fourteen year old Cameron Pierce who beat Robert McGinney of Scotlands Northwest ABC. Eleven year old Sean Connor suffered a narrow majority points loss to Fox ABC's William Crolla, while fourteen year old Ben Grimshaw lost on points to Paul Hope of Northwest ABC.
The National ABA Schoolboy Rankings have been published today, and two Leigh ABC boxers have again been rated amongst the top five boxers in the country. Fourteen year old Michael Connor, last season placed at No.5 moves up to No.4 in the 63kg class, while fourteen year old Adam Ridge is ranked at No.5 in the 42kg class. Well Done both boys !
Image: Jamie Arthur & Leigh ABC members
Top Welsh professional boxer Jamie Arthur, took time out from his preparations for his British Featherweight Title challenge on Friday evening at Leigh Sports Village, to visit Leigh Boxing & Fitness Centre and have a look round the facilities. Jamie, along with coaches Darren and Steve, chatted with the young boxers and happily posed for photos ... See Moreand signed autographs. The former Commonwealth Games Gold medalist was impressed with the standard at the club and will return in the future to train and pass on a few tips to the boxers, hopefully with the Championship Belt !
Sixteen year old Leigh ABC middleweight gave probably the best performance of his young career so far despite losing on points to the reigning National Champion Samuel Eggington of Warley ABC. Constantly forcing the action, Tom forced Eggington to call on all his experience to just edge out the Leigh boxer. Tom showed that with continued hard work there are exciting times ahead for this talented young boxer.
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Leigh ABC boxers Ben Grimshaw, Sean Connor, Adam Ridge and Michael Connor were invited to train alongside two weight World Champ Joan Guzman for the second time in four days on Thursday afternoon. Gallagher's Gym in Denton was the venue for an Open Workout in front of the national media and dozens of fans who had travelled to see Guzman train in the flesh.
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Leigh ABC's sixteen year old middleweight Tom Jones today won his NACYP National Quarter Final in Wakefield, beating Yorkshire Champion James Mitchison of Doncaster Plant ABC, with a clear points victory.
Heavyweight Lewis Davies also took a points victory on the Skerton ABC show in Morecambe despite conceeding over 10kgs to the well supported home boxer, Adam Emmett.
Sixteen year old featherweight Jonny Brown lost out on a majority points decision to Ross Cooksey of Barrow ABC.
Image: Lewis Davies
Image: Damon Hulme
Four boxers from the club flew to Guernsey in the Channel Islands at the weekend as part of a North West Regional Squad taking on Guernsey ABA. Middleweight Damon Hulme produced a stunning second round stoppage, while Super Heavyweight Michael Grayson also took a dominant points win. North West Region Schoolboy Flyweight Champion Adam Ridge dropped a narrow points decision while lightweight Jaymi Price gave his all but lost out also.
Image: Michael Grayson Wins
Image: Michael Connor
Michael Connor lost on points in the Schoolboys ABA National Semi-Final in Barnsley yesterday. Opposite the giant Thomas Whittaker-Hart of Rotunda ABC, Michael gave everything he had and pushed the fight right to the last bell. A great effort in his biggest fight so far, and there is plenty more to come from this very talented boxer.
Unbeaten Mexican Professional Boxers Adrian Gonzalez and Alfonso Vieyra were down at Leigh Boxing & Fitness Centre again this week to train alongside and spar with Michael Connor, Tom Jones, Craig Boardman, Jonny Brown and Jaymi Price.
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Team Leigh Boxer Katie Smith attended a training and sparring session at the North West Region ABC Centre of Excellence in Gorton, Manchester on Friday evening. After an hour of circuit training Katie sparred Gortons Laura Kelly a 16 year old but a very experienced
boxer who had boxed 3 championship bouts this season gave Katie a hard 3 rounds although Katie handled herself very well landing a number of forceful right hand shots. After sparring, Laura said she would love to sparr with katie again soon and that Katie had a "well hard right hand". Leigh should be proud of its female contingent. Looking forward to bigger and better things for our girls.
Image: Katie & Jen
Unbeaten professional boxer Adrian Gonzalez was at Leigh Boxing & Fitness Centre on Wednesday along with coach Adrian Fleming and young local boxers Tom Jones and Jaymi Price, as he began preparations for his next fight in early April. Adrian completed 8 continuous rounds of sparring with Tom and Jaymi, before moving on to circuits and groundwork.
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Leigh ABC Middleweight won his 5th ABA Championship title on Sunday afternoon at the ABA Manchester Centre of Excellence when taking a points victory over Colm Conway of St.Johns ABC in the NACYP Championships. The 16 year old was having his second bout in two days after defeating Nathan Swift of Astley ABC on saturday.
Leigh's other finalist bantamweight Jonny Brown, gave his usual wholehearted display, but lost out narrowly on points to Andrew Fleming.
Eleven year old Sean Connor, thirteen year old Adam Ridge and fourteen year old Michael Connor have been crowned North West Region ABA Schoolboy Champions !
Sean put in a blistering, all-out attack performance to stop his opponent, Dean Dixin-Foster of Tyldesley Centurions ABC, in the first round of their 36kg Final on Saturday afternoon in Gorton... See More, Manchester. Adam Ridge then put in a classy display of boxing to unanimously outpoint William Rowson of Atherton Pool Of Life ABC and take the 42kg Championship Title. Sean and Adam join Michael Connor, already confirmed as 63kg Champion in the National Quarter Finals opposite Tyne Tees ABA in Manchester on February 7th.
Special mentions should also go to eleven year old Lewis Clark who despite a battling performance lost out in the 46kg Final, and to fourteen year old Charlie Munro who lost a majority decision in his 48kg Semi-Final
Leigh ABC boxers, well known for posing around without their shirts on, took it to extremes at the saturday morning session, eagerly competing in a snowbound warm down...and snowball fight !
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Training continues at Leigh Boxing & Fitness Centre through the Christmas holidays as the boxers prepare for the upcoming Championships in January
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Eleven year old Sean Connor produced an all-action performance to overwhelm his opponent and take a unanimous points victory on the Irlam ABC Show on Friday evening
Leigh ABC boxers Ashley Peyton and Marcus Glen were in action on Friday evening representing the North West Region against a powerful Scottish Select Squad in Bolton. Welterweight Ashley, having his second bout in four days, turned in a cracking performance of speed and movement to defeat former Scottish National Champion Jamie Kerr on a unanimous points decision. Lightweight Marcus Glen took on tough Scottish youngster Drew McNaughton, and in an all action affair the judges gave a majority points win to the visiting boxer.
Cameron Pierce took a unanimous points victory with a classy display of long range boxing in his debut bout on the Castle Hill ABC Show in Accrington on Tuesday evening, while Ashley Peyton,having his first bout in 6 months, also had a unanimous points win over Bolton's Danny Johnson on the same show
Leigh ABC boxers Adam Ridge, Jonny Brown and Phil Hervey were all in the victorious Noth West Regional Squad who took on Guernsey in the Channel Islands on Friday evening. A stunning display of technique and speed saw a unanimous points win for "Ridgey" while Phil Hervey produced a powerful punching unanimous win. Bantamweight Jonny Brown, giving away 8lbs, found his taller opponent hard to close down, and despite constantly forcing the action lost narrowly on points.
Eleven year old Sean Connor turned in another all action performance on Friday evening appearing on the Sandygate ABC show in Burnley. Facing home boxer Brett Windle, Sean forced the action throughout, seemingly taking a clear points victory, however the judges somehow saw the result the other way round unbelievably giving the win to the Sandygate ... See Moreyoungster. A slightly older Martin Davies was in probably the bout of the night against the strong Rhys Watts of Sandygate ABC, and after three rounds of toe to toe action a majority points win went to the Burnley based boxer. Great effort by both Sean and Martin.
Other bouts this weekend saw a defeat for young Leigh ABC middleweight Damon Hulme against Leeds based Mick Lockey of Hard & Fast ABC on Thursday evening, while Ryan Lewis lost out in the Middleweight Novice Championships at Gorton on Saturday afternoon to Macclesfield ABC's Gareth Jones.
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Ben Grimshaw travelled to Yorkshire and gave another wholehearted display on Saturday evening on the West Leeds ABC show, taking on West Leeds ABC's Oliver Tolan. In a very close contest Ben just lost out on points.
Leigh's other boxer sheduled to box on the show, Phil Hervey, had his bout cancelled when his opponent weighed in 4 kg overweight !
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Thanks to everyone who attended the Leigh ABC Show on Friday evening at Lowton Civic Hall ! An enthusiastic Sell-Out crowd saw 14 Leigh boxers take on a combined Scotland & North of England Select squad, every bout going the distance and all 28 boxers giving everything they had. Well Done Lads !
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Leigh ABC Super Heavyweight Michael Grayson turned in a fantastic performance on Wednesday evening in Leeds, stopping Dean Stewart of Leeds based Sharkys ABC in the 2nd round. From the first bell Michael continually scored with ramrod jabs and heavy right hands, finally forcing the referee to step in an save his outgunned opponent early in the second round. Michael next boxes on the Leigh ABC show on Friday 23rd October at Lowton Civic Hall.
Tom Jones won the North West Region Junior Novice Middleweight Title on Sunday afternoon, taking a clear points win over Isle of Man based Michael Keeling of Viking ABC
It was a great night for the club on saturday evening with our 3 boxers having convincing wins against their Scotland Select opponents. Michael Connor displayed a calmness and maturity in taking a unanimous points win over Irvine Vineburgh ABC's highly rated, but very unorthadox Wullie Nightingale.
Featherweight Jonny Brown put on a dazzling display to outbox the current Scottish Under 17 featherweight champion Lee Simpson also of Irvine Vinburgh ABC, taking a unanimous points win.
Finally light heavyweight Tom Jones turned in a powerful punching display to stop Neil Johnstone of Bravehearts ABC in the second round.
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Newly crowned Junior Boxer of the Year Michael Connor, Youth Boxer of the Year Jonny Brown and Newcomer of the Year Tom Jones, make their first appearances of the season this saturday in Morecambe opposite a Scottish Select Squad.
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