It was a busy weekend for some of Newark’s young boxers and their coaches who were in Sheffield, Nottingham and Leicester representing Newark Amateur Boxing Club on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The action began on Friday afternoon when Sam Hardy and Alfie Briggs-Price, accompanied by Suggy’s Gym head coach Dean Sugden, were invited to the English Institute of Sport and GB Boxing HQ in Sheffield to take part in sparring sessions there with Welsh team members and respected Champions.
On Friday evening, three more NABC youngsters were on the road, heading to The Festival Inn in Trowell in Nottingham for Trinity ABC’s show.
First in the ring was Otis Pearson in only his second contest for NABC, up against southpaw home boxer Elliot Prescott in a bout which saw the Newarker adding another win to his record, this time by a unanimous decision.
Next up was Shady Hardy representing Newark in his fourth contest, boxing Brandon Shand, a strong opponent with a record of 18 wins and five losses. In what Dean described as one of the most inspiring performances he has ever seen from an NABC boxer, Shady lost on the closest of split decisions to the current Development National Champion.
Finally on Friday it was the turn of Daniel Radford who stepped into the ring to take on Trinity ABC’s undefeated Quinn Raeside. Both boxers gave everything to entertain the crowd and after three exciting rounds the judges gave the decision to the home boxer.
On Saturday Dean was back in Sheffield, this time at the GB Boxing Camp where he was invited to join other coaches spending the day working with the England Junior Squad.
The action-packed weekend came to a close on Sunday when NABC took two wins out of three in the East Midlands Region’s England Boxing NABGC Finals.
The first of the wins went to 16-year old Sam Hardy who came away with an impressive unanimous decision against Kingsheath’s Patrick Nevin.
There was victory too for Hope Price who, with just five bouts on his record, was up against a much more experienced opponent in Harrison Shaw with 22 bouts to his name. The Newark youngster never stopped punching throughout the three rounds, coming away with a well- deserved split points win.
Last up in the finals, up against another strong boxer in Clifton’s Joe Coulson, it was the turn of Harrison Dickson who lost the bout but as always came away with much to take from this one.
Earlier on in the night, Robert Price was unlucky not to get the nod after a dominant last round against home boxer Zac Zsalai.
“All in all, it was a really busy weekend for NABC with some great experience and results for us,” commented Dean.
“Sam and Alfie both sparred really well on Friday afternoon, conducting themselves brilliantly, and I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to go back to Sheffield to work with other England coaches at the GB Boxing Camp on Saturday.
“And well done to everyone who boxed on the two shows – some great results there but win or lose there’s always something to learn and I’m sure all seven of the boxers will put the weekend’s experience to good use.
“We’ll be back on it this weekend in Boston on Friday and in Newdigate on Sunday and of course we have our next Home Show in Farndon on Friday 9 December when families, friends and fans will be out in force as always to support us in what’s certain to be another great show.”
SUGGY'S GYM 
Leave a comment