Boxing show packs a punch

WEST Hill Boxing Club's annual show packed a real punch at the ATHA Showbar in Bexhill on Saturday night.

Many of the Whitefriars Road club's fighters were bang on form but the headlines will inevitably go the way of Jason Brooker.

The England youth international rounded off a luckless season on a high note by outpointing Hartlepool's Michael Hadfield in a re-run of the 2003 National Schoolboy final which the Hillcrest pupil lost.

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In a tight 15 years, 42 kilo bout that could have gone either way, Jason finally got some help from the judges who awarded him a majority verdict.

In general though it was the rookies who stole the spotlight with some inspired performances. The most "experienced" of the newcomers, Ben White (13 years, 42 kilos), making just his fourth appearance, earned a unanimous points victory over debutant L. Sullivan from Hartlepool in the night's first bout.

West Hill first timer George Bristow (14 years, 58 kilos) who, according to coach Dave Bishop, boxed "fantastically" to do likewise in a cracker against T. Bailey (St Gerrard's, Chichester).

Doubtless inspired by the performance of his friend immediately before him, fellow debut maker Lee Jones (14 years, 60 kilos) also scaled the heights but eventually succumbed to a majority call against P. Dummer (Hailsham).

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An identical fate befell the last of the new boys Simon Powell (14 years, 48 kilos) against Herne Bay's M. Wood although similar praise could be lavished in his direction.

Another fighter to fall foul of a contentious judges' decision and not for the first time during a frustrating season was Conroy Gaynor, who came into his 15 years, 52 kilos bout with Tommy Langford of Bideford in good form having disposed of home fighter Josh Ross at the Adur ABC Show in Worthing seven days previously. He again fought well but old foe Langford nabbed a fortunate majority.

Another home fighter going home feeling miffed was 24-year-old light heavyweight Adam Hanniver who, having beaten S. Duffour of Dieppe, France, in the Adur Show, again looked to have done enough against another Hartlepool competitor J. Anderson only to go down by the same conclusion.

Alfie Chapman could have no such complaints though following a jaded performance which resulted in a unanimous decision going the way of 17 years, 64 kilos opponent Lloyd Elliott (Hove).

Bishop commented: "It was a great show. The place was more or less full up and everyone loved it." Ex-West Hill star Paul Huggins presented the prizes.

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