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HAMER Boxing Club’s Charlotte Brown is through to the national novice finals at 57kg.
A fantastic performance in Derby last weekend saw her overwhelm semi-final opponent Tina Penfold. The contest barely lasted a minute as the Hamer star looked a cut above Penfold.
Trainer Paddy Joyce said: "The novice championship is a new thing. It’s for boxers with five fights or less experience. It’s a good idea, as boxers don’t find themselves out of their depth.
"Charlotte can only beat who they put in front of her, but I’m pretty sure she would hold her own in an open class anyway. She was different class."
Charlotte now fights in Aldershot this weekend, and before leaving Rochdale trainer Joyce said: "We’re coming back with a national title."
Two other Hamer fighters were in action in Ashton last Friday.
Star of the show was Abdul Rashid who turned on the style to outpoint John Whittaker of Ashton Albion.
Rashid threw every shot in the book to run out a worthy winner and pick up the best boxer of the night award.
Coach Steven Connellan said: "If I’m being picky, the only thing Rashid is short on is
confidence, though I don’t known why, as he’s got the lot, fast hands, explosive power."
There was disappointment for Ashfaq Hussein who went down on points to Mark Haslam of Ashton Albion.
Hussein, who made his debut at 65kg, found himself in a ding-dong battle, and many at the ringside felt he was unlucky not to get the verdict.
Trainer Gary White said: "Ashfaq didn’t get a win, but he ticked all my boxes. He took the fight at five days notice, boxed a tough lad, and gave his all. I couldn’t have asked for more."
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HEROES of British boxing descended on Moss Side fire station for the launch of a community training camp.
Light-welterweight superstar Ricky Hatton joined Bolton lightweight sensation Amir Khan, undisputed cruiserweight champ David Haye, Salford light-middleweight favourite Jamie Moore and Levenshulme lightweight prospect John Murray at the landmark event.
The Denhill Road gym, which the fire service has invested more than £12,000 in, is opposite another boxing gym, Champ's Camp, at Moss Side Leisure Centre.
The fire station gym was started by firefighters Curtis McLardie, a former Thai boxing trainer, and Nigel Travis and is affiliated with the Amateur Boxing Association.
Curtis, 31, said: "It all started because I asked my station commander if I could keep some gym equipment here. The fire station is a neutral area in Moss Side where kids can come from different areas and work together."
Commonwealth champion Khan, 21, said: "Boxing keeps young people away from gun and knife crime. I started in a gym just like this one and it kept me from going on the wrong path and got me where I am now.
"Resurgence"
"I'm looking forward to supporting this gym. I feel proud to have played a part in the resurgence of British boxing when I see places like this open."
Amir said he `was in touching distance' of a world title shot and looking forward to taking on lightweight champions Nate Campbell or Joel Casamayor in a big Las Vegas fight.
Fire service chief Barry Dixon was at the event, which drew dozens of community members and school children to the station.
Mr Dixon praised the `vision and commitment and sheer hard work' of the firefighters who had started the gym.
David Haye, 27, widely tipped to be the next British world heavyweight champ, made the trip from London for the event. Mr Dixon presented him with a special fire service `thank you' trophy.
IBO light welterweight World Champion Ricky Hatton has just come back from Florida where he enjoyed a holiday with his son, Campbell. He missed the wedding of Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin but joked he was `sure they had a good time' without him.
He was mobbed by autograph hunters and photographers at the gym opening but the humble star said the demands of fame had `never really bothered him'.
Ricky, 29, spoke of his hopes of again facing Floyd Mayweather, who defeated him in Las Vegas last December.
Bruising clash
And he confirmed that since his bruising clash with Juan Lazcano last month the best fighters have made offers to fight him, including Filipino star Manny Pacquiao, and Oscar De La Hoya.
Ricky added: "You see so much crime in the street with youth of today drinking and mugging and that, but some of them have nowhere to go. This gym has got great facilities - of the kind I would have loved when I was coming up. Boxing gives people from rough areas a chance to channel anger.
"When people are hitting the bag they are not going to be hitting someone on the street."
John Murray, 23, said: "Boxing teaches discipline and self-respect. It instilled a lot of confidence and self belief in me because a young lad I was quite shy."
Jamie Moore said boxing `kept him out of trouble', without `copping out'.
During their stay, the boxers signed the gym's `respect agenda' on the wall and tried on firemen's' hats.
The new gym will running women's classes on Wednesday, kids classes on Saturdays and is open to all.
For more information, or to make a donation, contact Mr McLardie or Station Commander John Varey on 0161 608 5203.
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HYDE’S Danny Benson boxed clever on his way to winning a prestigious title earlier this month.
The 16-year-old collected a gold medal at the Royal Navy ABA Junior Championships by prevailing in the 91kg section at Liverpool.
Benson, who trains at Tameside Elite, said: "It was the best fight I’ve ever had. I’ve won two titles in three years so I’m really pleased.
"I’m now in the England squad and want to go to the London 2012 Olympics."
Dating back to 1920, the Junior Championships has built up a reputation as being the top competition for young boxers aged 15-17.
This year is the second of five-year partnership between the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and the ABAE (Amateur Boxing Association England).
Royal Navy Captain of Naval Recruiting, Captain Chris Alcock OBE, added: "We’re proud to continue our support for the Junior ABA Championships.
"This year’s competition was a great success, with some really tenacious bouts taking place at all levels.
"The focus, determination and fitness shown by the young boxers reflected brilliantly the core values of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines."
The man who puts Ricky Hatton through his paces has officially opened a new boxing centre. Billy Graham, who trains the Hyde-based light-welterweight boxing champ launched Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre at the end of May.
As well as being open to the wider community as Oldham's only ABAE affiliated club, the centre is part of a pioneering ACCE project, which uses the sport to help users of alcohol, cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy to clean up. Around 80 young people have taken part in ACCE since it was launched six months ago, boosting their health, self-discipline, self-esteem and confidence.
The project is a joint venture between Oldham DAAT and Manchester's former England international and professional boxer - and now a consultant - Eric Noi. Eric intends to merge active participation sport with both academic and vocational learning.
Eric said: "Boxing will provide the ideal medium for engaging young people and provide them with the opportunity to fulfil their potential."
The launch provided the opportunity for a chance meeting between Billy Graham and Commonwealth champion Craig Watson, who were in opposite corners the following Sataurday when Craig successfully defended his title against Mathew Hatton, trained by Billy Graham.
The event was a double celebration of the two projects and Billy spoke passionately about how boxing had transformed his life: "Anybody who says boxing can't change your life - I am living testament. I was always in trouble at school, I got expelled and I got in trouble with the police. When I started boxing didn't get in any more trouble. Boxing gives you an interest that turns into a passion," said Graham. "I think the centre is fantastic. Anything that helps the kids, gets them off the streets, gives them some incentive, I am all for that.. Everybody deserves a second chance. I hope it goes from strength to strength and encourages more people other areas to do the same. Some people need help and some direction to show them there's another way."
ABAE chief executive Paul King added: "Boxing clubs give something very special. They give people a sense of belonging in part of a community. Sometimes this is the biggest piece of social glue we come across. I am thrilled Oldham is taking this opportunity. Oldham has a very rich and proud history in the sport and I am glad that roots have gone down again."
Jimmy Hume (18) from Westwood has ditched cocaine thanks to ACCE and said: "Since I started this I have got other things to do, better things to do."
Richard Gibson (25) from Royton added: "It is breaking the cycle. Instead of looking forward to drugs and getting drunk, I find a lot more enjoyment going to the gym, boxing and keeping fit. This has opened up a lot more new doors."
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TEENAGERS are being urged to turn their back on drink and drugs and step into the ring.
The Ruff Diamond project is helping to steer young people from Salford away from crime by teaching them how to box.
Geoff Hunter, who runs the scheme, said: "The youngsters who come here enjoy the sessions and want to be good at boxing, and being healthy and fit is part of that.
"They find out that they can't do what we do in the sessions if they're smoking cannabis or drinking loads of alcohol - so they get off them."
The project, which is open to anyone over the age of 18, runs twice-weekly boxing sessions at the Bridgewater Salford Amateur Boxing Club. The sessions involve circuit training, pad work and shadow boxing.
Mr Hunter said it is this variety that keeps the young boxers engaged. He said: "You don't get such a mixture with football and rugby training, and it's very, very tiring, which is why the youths get so much out of it."
Mr Hunter, 38, is an ex-professional heavyweight boxer, and a nurse with the Salford Drugs and Alcohol Service.
Through his work he has witnessed the problem of alcohol and drug abuse in Salford, and he felt boxing would help young people in the city.
He said: "I was aware there was a gap in the services delivered by the NHS.
"There are some great after-care programs, but nothing like boxing that offers a great way to change your entire lifestyle."
Last year Mr Hunter and Ruff Diamond's head trainer Lee Whitehead welcomed more than 100 people through their doors, and the project goes from strength to strength.
High-profile supporters from the Salford boxing community include Amir Khan's ex-trainer Oliver Harrison, and former British light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore.
Mr Hunter, from Winsford, Cheshire, thinks that the values taught in boxing can be beneficial to all young people. He said: "Young people today lack self-confidence and are presumed ill-disciplined, and boxing can give them that back and prove people wrong."
LANCASTER has three more Golden Gloves champions after arguably the city's best weekend for boxing in recent times.
Patrick Miller won a title for the second successive year while Jack Reay cruised to victory as well, both fighters representing Lancaster Boys Club.
And Hugh Fury, under the banner of Skerton ABC, claimed gold in his category at the Royal Navy Golden Gloves finals in Knottingley, Yorkshire.
In fact, there was nearly another gold medal but Isaac Lowe, of the Boys Club, lost a close fight on points in the 42kg section.
Jack, aged 14 won the 57kg final 6-0 on points, rounding off a gruelling campaign of bouts in what is his last year at schoolboy level.
He said: "The fight went really well. He was hard to beat – a very difficult opponent and it was the hardest fight of my life. I've been training so much for it though."
And 13-year-old Patrick, who was at Skerton ABC before reverting back to the Boys Club, claimed gold at 60kg, winning 9-6 on points.
"It was a tough fight and a rematch of last year's final. I was confident as I've been training very hard. 'Train hard: fight easy' is my motto!"
Hugh, aged 12, weighs in at 54 kg.
He said: "I'm pleased to have won – I've been training very hard and it was a tricky fight."
Bob Howard, who coaches the boxers from Lancaster Boys Club with Tony Hodgson, was delighted with the weekend's success.
He said: "On the whole it was a great result. All the hard work has paid off. It's been a team effort from the whole squad.
"It has opened the door to England selection as well, which is the next step on the ladder for them.
"We have got some young kids coming through next year and if we keep going we might have even more winners next year."
He added: "For Patrick to win twice in a row is fantastic and he will be looking for a third next year."
Dating back to 1920, the Golden Gloves has built up a reputation as being the top competition for young boxers aged 12 to 14.
This year was the second of five-year partnership between the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and the ABAE (Amateur Boxing Association England).
BOXING CLEVER: Hamid Khan, senior youth facilitator, with members of the scheme at Brian Roche's Burnley gym
A FORMER boxing champion took part in a workshop to encourage young offenders to improve their lives by taking up boxing.
Brian Roche passed on his years of expertise to youngsters, aged between 15 and 21, from disadvantaged backgrounds at the event at his Grapevine Gym, Newtown Mill, Queen's Lancashire Way, Burnley.
The young people taking part in the scheme have been referred by Lancashire Police and the local youth offending team.
Mr Roche, a former Great Britain international amateur champion, spoke to the young people about everything from sparring, and the role of cornermen, to how to become a boxing coach.
Supporters of the Whitefield Youth Association initiative - Get Off The Ropes - hope it will teach young people discipline and self-belief.
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DISTRICT SQUADS BOX THEIR WAY TO FITNESS
(from wcdg.play-cricket.com)
WCDG have boxing sessions in readiness for the new season
Wigan's District squads were subjected to the “Ricky Hatton treatment” at one of their recent training sessions, when Leigh Amateur Boxing Club's head coach, Adrian Fleming, was invited to run an hour long session with each of the three age groups.
The brief for Adrian was to provide an alterative kind of preparation for the upcoming season and put the lads through their paces with a mix of boxing skills, exercises and straight forward hard work as part of their indoor training … the brief was certainly completed to the letter (especially the last bit !).
In this day and age it is now a recognised fact that a cricketer needs to not only work on their technical attributes but also needs to consider their overall fitness levels if they are to progress in the game and these sessions were designed to put ideas into the lads heads as to alternatives ways of getting and then keeping fit … the days of just rocking up, turning your arm over in the nets and having a quick knock have gone for youngsters (and all cricketers for that matter) with even semi serious intensions of developing their cricket.
As the lads nursed their weary muscles afterwards, it was pointed out to them that the main England Cricket squad use boxing techniques and training regularly to sharpen their reflexes and hone their general fitness ... can't say it was a great confort at the time but at least they know they've shared the pain with Freddie and KP et co.!
It is also worth noting that whilst at first glance boxing and cricket are completely different sports, many of the skills used in boxing are straight out of the cricket coaching manual, as foot movement, hand speed and body movement/alignment, in particular, are very similar in many ways. Hopefully the lads will take away some positives from the sessions, the importance of maintaining and improving fitness and keeping a positive mental attitude when tired or when things in competition are going against them.
The sessions were hard and enjoyable, but it was good to note that everyone put 100% into the work (otherwise there was always the dreaded 20 star jumps to contend with if there was any slackening off!!) and Adrian was suitably impressed with the effort, and no little skill, shown by the lads.
A big thank you is extended to Adrian for his time and commitment, as well as his team of young boxers and coaches who accompanied him to the session with the U15's, and the sessions might just have prompted some of the lads to use boxing in their future training and fitness regimes.
For more information on how to get involved with Leigh Amateur Boxing Club, refer to the LABC link on this website's home page, log onto http://www.leighboxing.com or phone 01942 602701.
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HIDDEN away in his underground gym at St Annes' Dalmeny Hotel, boxer Scott Cardle pours sweat while warming up with a spot of skipping.
Clearly an expert, his blur-like rope criss-crosses as he steps up to a frenetic pace.
It brings back memories of the young Mike Tyson, whose legendary skipping skills, which would put any girl in the playground to shame, were shown off in promotional big fight build-ups ahead of clashes with Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.
Scott moves to the heavy bag, tearing into it with the same vigour, displaying a vicious left hook, thrown in just the same style as 'Iron' Mike.
It's obvious this Fylde lad is well studied in Tyson.
"I've always loved boxing since my dad, Joe, introduced me to it," said Scott as we sat down to chat in the mirror-walled room.
"We used to stay up late and watch the big fights and I always loved the young Mike Tyson.
"It didn't get any better and more exciting than him and the big fight atmosphere he brought with him. I've always tried to copy his aggressive style. You can probably see a bit of it in how I fight."
The aggressive style seems to be working for the 18-year-old from North Clifton Drive, Lytham, one of the prize pupils of Kirkham Amateur Boxing Club, also known as Sam Betts' gym.
Standing around 5ft 8in and a shade over 10 stone, he has already captured a wealth of junior honours including the 2004 national schools title, winning the Junior ABA title three-years running and the multi-nations championship.
Currently the number five ranked amateur welterweight in the world, Scott has also recently won perhaps his most prestigious honour –- the One Complete Solution (OCS) young sportsperson of the year.
The award, previously won by 2008 Olympic medal favourite gymnast Beth Tweddle, is given each year to the top young amateur sportsperson in the country – a great honour.
"That was huge for me," Scott said beaming with pride.
"I had to get my suit on and go down to the Oval cricket ground in London to collect it and there was a big ceremony."
The awards and honours haven't been achieved without a little help, as Scott was very keen to point out.
Veteran Kirkham coach, Eric Metcalf, took Scott under his wing from the age of eight, shaping his career and style.
Now 78, Eric plays a less hands-on role in Scott's training, with Frank Ellis taking the reins as his main trainer.
And his sporting family also provides a great deal of support.
"My brother Joe plays for Port Vale Football Club," he said. "That gives me a great insight in how to live, eat and train like a professional sportsman.
"My dad has also been very supportive and keeps me in line with my training."
Perhaps the most important boost step in Scott's burgeoning career and the key to pushing him into 2012 contention came this summer when he was selected for the British Olympic Development Squad.
"I now spend four days every two weeks at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield where we train four times a day," he said.
"It's hard work but I'm really enjoying the challenge and getting some extra sponsorship to help with my training is a real help.
"Since I started, the Olympics have always been a dream.
"The qualifiers for 2008 have already finished, but I'm in with a great chance for 2012.
"Because Britain is hosting the games, we get six places in the boxing tournament automatically, but in some ways I'd like to have to go through the qualifiers to get the full Olympic experience and really earn my spot.
"There are a couple of strong lads in my weight division (fellow Brits Anthony Agogo, BJ Sanders and Neil Perkins are his main rivals), but now is my chance and I'm hoping to take it.
"I'll be 22 in 2012 and I will have the ideal mix of age and experience."
One man who didn't have age on his side when taking to the Olympic ring was Amir Khan.
The Bolton boy is now a national celebrity, a cultural icon and an ambassador for the British-Asian community following his narrow loss to Cuban boxing legend Mario Kindelan in the Olympic final which earned him silver.
His burgeoning pro career could also see him becoming a world champion in the near futureand his path to glory, Scott says, is one he plans to follow."Hopefully I can go one step better than him and win gold," he joked.
"I've trained with him a few times and he's certainly a big inspiration to me and all the other young boxers in the North West.
"He's a local boy and I've looked up to him a lot and the dedication he shows is really impressive."
Khan's template includes a great deal of local support, bordering on Khan-fever in home town of Bolton.
And Scott hopes he can have the same impact on the Fylde coast.
"It's amazing the support Amir gets," Scott said. "You can tell it inspires him and when he had his first pro-fight at the Reebok, the reception he got was amazing.
"I hope my home town of Lytham and the whole of the Fylde coast will get behind me, support me and drive me forward. I'll do my best to represent the region and bring us some boxing gold."
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54kg Joe Murray (ENG) lost to Enkhbat Badar-Uugan (MGL) 11:20
Moss Side ABC, Manchester bantamweight, Joe Murray boxed Mongolian Enkhbat for a place in tomorrow's final. Joe had to contend ith an opponent who had six gears. All of them fast. Five of them reverse gears. When the Mongolian saw that Murray wished to press the action Badar-Uugan decided to use three of his reverse gears, making life difficult for the Mancunian as when Joe eased in the chase the Mongolian stepped in with a scoring punch.
Let's be clear Badar-Uugan won this contest, but, young Murray did not appear to be getting full value for clear single shots. That is they were not showing up on the open scoring screen. 2:7 at the end of the second round became 6:10 at the end of the third. However, Murray's continued pursuit of the Mongolian was having an effect on the Mongolian's stamina. Murray came close to equalling the scores in round three. But the effort was beginning to have it's effect on Joe. A big right hand caught and shook Joe. A follow up flurry of punches lead to Murray receiving a standing eight count and enabled the Mongolian to finish the round four clear. In the last round the Mongolian was able to keep control of his lead to run out a 20:11 winner.
Once again the Mongolian was a fair and clear winner but the final score did not reflect the number of punches landed by both boxers, nor should the margin of victory have been scored this wide.
Murray's was a spirited, determined performance, he has impressed all who have had the pleasure of watching him perform on the World's most difficult boxing stage.
Joe Murray "He deserved it. I got off to a slow start. Hope he wins it. I'll get him back in the Olympics."
Terry Edwards was unable to comment after the bout as he was standing in the blue corner looking after Frankie Gavin who was already in the ring. That's how efficient the organisation has been at the XIV AIBA World Championships.
JOE Murray made Manchester boxing history last night by becoming the first fighter from the city to reach the 2008 Olympic Games.
The 20-year-old Levenshulme bantamweight had an exhilarating 26-19 win over Louis Julie of Mauritius at the World Amateur Championships in Chicago to reach the quarter-finals, which books his ticket to Beijing next summer.
Murray got off to a flying start by registering five unanswered points on the judges' scoring buttons, and then smartly went on the back foot, forcing Julie - himself a back-foot boxer - to abandon his natural style and have to hunt him down.
Murray's remarkable surge to the last eight has had boxing fans scouring the history books.
But it is believed that the nearest men to have represented the area at the Games are Murray's old amateur room-mate Amir Khan of Bolton in 2002 and Rochdale's Kevin Taylor in 1984.
Great Britain has only managed to squeeze four boxers into the Olympics since qualification tournaments were introduced in 1996 - David Burke (1996), Audley Harrison and Courtney Fry (2000) and Khan (2004).
But now Murray wants to forget his achievement and go on to become one of only handful of Britons to win a medal at the World Championships, including his idol and inspiration Ricky Hatton.
Brightest
In tomorrow's quarter-finals he faces China's Gu Yu, who beat him by three points in the Beijing Tournament earlier this year.
But Murray feels that, on neutral ground, he has the edge. He said: "I made him fight in a way he wasn't used to, and at the end I just fell to my knees in the middle of the ring. I rang my Moss Side club trainer Joe Gallagher and told him to book his tickets for Beijing."
Murray was not seen as one of the English team's brightest hopes to make the Olympics, but he has led a charge of five English boxers and one Scot chasing Olympic qualification.
He added: "To be honest, I never really doubted that I would make the Olympics because I have felt 100 per cent from day one.
"It's not bad going to have two Lancashire fighters reaching two Olympics in a row.
"It's an absolute dream come true, and I've got to give a massive thank you to my England coach Terry Edwards and my club coach Joe Gallagher for having the faith and confidence in me."
The East Lancs Division is now looking for anyone from our member clubs who are interested in becoming an ABA Referee. Those interested would recieve full training from England Coach and ABA Referee John Hart who would also put them through their test. For more information on becoming an ABA Referee phone John Hart on 07889255371
There was a great turnout on Sunday morning at Hopwood Hall Boxing Academy for the East Lancs Cadets Squad (14, 15 & 16yrs). The technique based session was overseen by England Coach John Hart and International Referee Yaqoob Hussain, assisted by ABA Coaches Adrian Fleming, Shah Khan and Mick Moran. Boxers from Mottram & Hattersley ABC, Audley ABC, Leigh ABC, Bury ABC, Bolton St Withins ABC, including ELCCIOM Junior ABA Champions Anthony Lloyd (Mottram) David Morris (Leigh) and Chris Blinkhorn (Bolton St Withins) enjoyed a two hour session of technical sparring, footwork, defence and conditioning.
We have been invited to put a team to together to take on west lancs on the 3rd November 07. Any club who have boxers who would like a rematch with any east lancs boxers or would like to box any one please contact John Hart on 07889255371 or Adrian Fleming on eastlancsaba@yahoo.co.uk
From the Official ABAE website
ABAE, at the last council meeting, discussed a question raised around insurance of ABAE registered members.
It is evident some people, for whatever reason, think that the ABAE insurance policy and cover has changed. This is total fiction, as the policy has not been amended in any way from historical provision made in the past.
Therefore the ABAE are satisfied and accepted the current policy provision to cover amateur boxing activities within the policy. Terms and an updated information booklet is currently being developed to be sent directly to clubs in the near future.
In closing - continue to train, continue to spar, continue to box.
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