A Successful Week for Uxbridge ABC
The
date and venue was set, (March 14th, Park Inn Hotel, Bedford) for
Tommy Ward of Uxbridge Amateur Boxing Club to make his second outing
representing the club. He was matched at 52kg against South Oxhey ABC boxer
Daniel Farroll.
Preparation
for this bout could not have gone any better; Ward worked immensely hard in the
4 week lead up putting the hours in inside and outside the gym and even making
the trip over to our friends at Harrow ABC for some quality sparring. It was
needless to say that Ward was very focused on the job in hand.
Weighed
in and checked over by the Doctor; it was time to go to work. From the first
bell of round one Wards opponent come out with real intention to be the aggressor
and his South Paw stance made it all the more difficult for Ward to settle in
to any sort of rhythm. After a messy and frustrating first round that could
have gone either way the bell sounds and Ward returns to the corner to take
instructions from Coach Jamie McAvoy. “Catch him with the straight back hand as
he steps in and move off on the angle!”
Round
2 and the forward pressure that Farrell come out with allowed Ward who was now
boxing to instruction to land with some clean scoring shots. Relentless in his
attacks though Farrell was not willing to make this and easy nights work for
Ward and he kept up the assaults despite the shots he was taking on the way in.
Round
3 and with both boys tired it would all come down to who wanted it more. A
messy round due to styles not blending but Ward was able to look like the
better boxer on the back foot picking shots unlike Farrell who looked like he
was chasing the win from behind. The final bell sounded and it all comes down
to weather the 3 scoring judges likes the pressure of Farrell or the counter
punching from Ward. It was a tense few minutes as the score cards were
collected but great relief when it is Wards arm raised for a win by split
decision!
Congratulations
Tommy Ward on your first win for Uxbridge ABC!!
Next
to represent Uxbridge ABC was the clubs most decorated boxer Sian Judd the
former ABA Junior National Champion. Disappointed with her loss in the Youth
Championships earlier in the year Judd was eager to make a big statement March
19th on the Boston ABC show against Angelica Finch.
After
a long drive, making weight and routine doctor’s checks, Judd was eager to go
to work. A good warm up done and Judd steps in the ring with a real confidence.
The bell sounds to start the first session and Finch moves in fast eager to
impress the home crowd. However Judd, famous for her aggression was not looking
to take a back step, holding her feet in the centre of the ring and trading
blows with Finch. Round one over and by far the weightier, more eye catching
shots was landed by Judd. If Finch was going to take the win it was obvious her
corner would need to rethink her game plan going in to round 2 as the strength
of Judd was really showing.
Round
2 and Judd was able to get off the techniques that have been worked on with
Coach Jamie McAvoy (Drawing the lead, shielding and then countering with a
strong backhand) This is the attack/defend/attack or 1st and 3rd
tactics that are being drilled by England boxing of which Judd is a member of in
the 57kg youth squad. It was nice to see Judd showcasing her boxing ability and
not just her fight game.
Round
3 and Finch threw caution to the wind making a desperate attempt to get back in
to the fight. Of course Judd was not ready to allow this and was able to find
another gear taking Finch well out of her comfort zone and on to the back foot
landing heavy shots in the process. The bell sounded to end the contest and
Judd raised her hands, confident that the decision could only go in her favour.
However boxing away from home, you never know!
Both
girls are called to the centre of the ring to hear the judges decision. Judd’s
armed was raised with a win by unanimous decision and the second victory of the
week for Uxbridge ABC!
A
very busy and successful week so far, but it was not yet over! Although tired
and aching from her bout the previous night, Judd was still at the gym the
following morning for a session with England Boxing coach Mike Hunter as part
of the athlete development programme. This session gives a good opportunity to
slow things down and work on techniques that suit the individual boxer. Judd
was looking good and it won’t be long before she is out representing England competitively.
A
special thankyou to Bedford ABC; South Oxhey ABC; Boston ABC; Harrow ABC; Reece
Nicholls for coming along to support and Mike Hunter from England Boxing.
Written by: Uxbridge ABC - 30th March 2016
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