Two more of Newark’s young amateur boxers were back in the ring on Sunday 3 October, fighting in the National Cadet Championships in Stoke on Trent.
First up for Newark Amateur Boxing Club was East Midlands champion Sam Hardy in the Junior Cadets 57-60kg Open Class, taking on Midlands champion Michael Sweeney from the Pat Benson Boxing Academy.
Shaking off two and a half years of ring rust, the 15-year old from Newark went straight to work in the first round against his opponent, a tricky southpaw and awkward counter puncher, taking the win by a split decision at the end of the three-round contest to proceed to the next round of the championships.
In the next bout of the afternoon, it was the turn of his club mate and fellow East Midlands champion Alfie Briggs-Price, also aged 15, who went toe-to-toe with another Midlands champion, Wodensborough ABC‘s Ryan Scotland, in the 60-63kg Cadet Open Class.
Boxing in what Suggy’s Gym head coach Dean Sugden described as the best bout of the championships, after a whirlwind start from his opponent Alfie settled down nicely, working body and head and dominating with his speed and boxing in the second and third rounds.
“It was a really close contest and in my opinion Alfie won rounds two and three,” said Dean. “Unfortunately the judges disagreed and he was on the wrong side of a points decision but without doubt it was a great performance from Alfie, who is showing himself to be one of the most improved of our young boxers here at NABC.
“And well done to Sam too for taking the win earlier, although his corner men on the day felt that it should have been a unanimous win rather than a split decision.
“Thanks to everyone who made the trip over to Stoke on Trent to support them and to Chad Sugden, Irvine Taylor and Steve Williams, who all gave up their time on Sunday to help corner the two of them.”
SUGGY'S GYM 
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