Billericay took a squad of 11 boxers up to Knottingley on Friday to compete against the very best Yorkshire Select Squad available. The bouts were all against very tough opponents and all the matches were tough right across the board.
The night before we left, at approx 11.30pm, Joes Gile's opponent unexpectably pulled out, leaving the Yorkshire matchmaker with a huge task. The matchmaker phoned every possible club from Birmingham, to Liverpool and Manchester but none was ready to step in at such short notice. The Billericay Club were very thankful, as was Joe when he met and shook the matchmakers hand for his efforts.
Cory Bohea had a skills bout v K. Aykut from the St. Paul Boxing Club ( Home of Olympian Luke Campbell ). Cory was outstanding and later picked up a Jack Petchey award too. ( Wardy to write a report soon ).
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Brad Crockett had a hard battle against a very strong and agressive R Nasser from Prince Naseem Hamids gym ( Sheffield Lane Top ). Nasser taking the win on points.
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Joe Adams boxed another Sheffield LT boxer, H Nasser. Joe worked off his jab and won on a ponts decision.
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George Stephenson boxed one of the local favourites, Jordan Pickup from the strong White Rose club. Both boys boxed well, Pickup getting the very close decision from the Yorkshire judges.
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Richard Temple met Englands number 3 ranked L Gibbons from the strong City of Hull club, Richard had a very good third round before losing on a close points decision. Considering Richards lack of sparring due to a bad hand injury of late, he done very well.
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Tez Everard was up against the experienced schoolboy 14 bouter R. Bradford from the Doncaster Plantworks club. Tez kept the boxing very neat & tidy before winning the bouts on points.
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Nathan Lucas had another top quality bout and performed extremly well against another local favourite from White Rose. Nathan was superb before the points decision was awarded to the Yorkshire lad.
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Callum Smith still only on his 11th bout, went in against the former schools champion and Yorkshire regional representitive 30 bouter Ryan Gibbons from Hull. This bout was a non stop toe to toe clash, that had everything you would expect to see in a National Final. A display that had the Ref applauding both boxers efforts. Callum won on a points decision. A firm contender for "bout of the season"
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Luke ( the Iceman ) Frost, made his debut, which was a big step for him all that distance away from home.
Luke boxed perfectly, skillfully and won on a unanamous points decision.
Lukes opponent T Benson from Alpha ABC, had his coach sitting ringisde, who is no other than Dave Radford, who went the full distance with the legendary Roberto Duran.
A massive thank you goes out to all at Team Billericay, for helping with the preperations for this bout, something that I personally am in the sport for, to see these boxers acheive a goal in their life is everything.
The Coaches all had a part to play, everyone putting in the effort at the gym and backstage at the warm up, a real club bonding that is like no other.
The great support in the club from Rach and the heart felt emotion when the boys are boxing.
The sparring from Gibbo and encouragement at the gym, it all plays a crucial part.
The snarling from Jim when in the corner and the gentle team talk before the warm up to get the best from Luke.
The amazing support from everyone that travelled so far and the jubilation when Lukes arm was raised as the winner.
This all played a huge part in the debut of Frosties bout, what a great club.
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Chris Kelly met another hard hitter from the explosive St Vincents club, after 2 opponents pulled out in 2 days. Chris seemed to have it under control but missed out on a points decision.
Chris K picked up the 2nd Jack Petchey award for his team leadership skills, again Wardy is putting together a report ( that will be checked before publishing re Beany )
All in all another good trip away, against some of the best boxing clubs in the country.
Thanks to all the supporters for giving up their time to come and support the boxers.
The club is open Sunday AM.