Boston boxers shine on home show

Aptly titled Blood, Sweat, Respect, there was plenty of each given and earned in a competitive bill featuring Boston’s boxers with some support bouts from other clubs that left its observers feeling satisfied with the night’s proceedings.

In the show opener 11-year-old Jacob Bartram and Darley ABCs Rocko Haywood graced the ring.

There was a noticeable difference in height between the two boxers with Haywood having the reach advantages.

Bartram wasn’t fazed in the slightest and set about his work immediately, taking the fight to the Derbyshire boxer, and a good first round banked for the Boston boy as he seemingly took the round.

In the second, Haywood deployed a different tactical approach, moving in and out of range that enabled him more success.

Bartram was equally as determined to close the distance and hammer home his shots, which were making their mark.

This continued into the last round, much to the delight of the Boston crowd, the decision going against Jacob on this occasion, but he can be proud of his efforts in an entertaining contest.

Next through the ropes was ‘Stone Cold’ Austin Beecham v Kade Foster, also of Darley ABC.

It was southpaw against southpaw and Beecham quickly got into his groove, darting in and out of range, landing his venomous straight shots that pierced the guard of the Derbyshire boxer.

Beecham glided in and out of the exchanges and was receiving minimal contact back.

Not to say he had all things his own way as Beecham was made to work as he maintained his hot pace.A unanimous decision was announced in favour of the home fighter, which really lifted the crowd, Beecham unable to hide his delight as the verdict was given.

Next in action was debutant Jackson Stanford-Waller against Liam Thackeray of the Dec Spelman ABC in a light welterweight contest.

Thackeray was out of the traps fast and Jackson gladly obliged in engaging in warfare with the Scunthorpe boxer.

Once fatigue started to settle in, it was the Boston boxer who was starting to pull away as he probed and asked questions as he unleashed his thunderous arsenal in the Scunthorpe boxer’s direction.

A standing count was given in Waller’s favour as he landed some spiteful blows just before the end of the second round.

A grandstand finish from Jackson was given as he rained in his shots to rubber stamp the decision he was craving - a unanimous one was given much to Waller and the Boston crowd’s delight.

Arja Baker was next into the squared circle, matched against the aggressive and very capable Walter Matloga of the Retford ABC.

Baker needed to stay sharp and concentrated throughout to ensure he could be one step ahead and get the result.

Baker started the contest brightly, landing the cleaner shots and skirting away from danger when Matloga stormed in with his heavy arsenal, as he comfortably took the round.

This continued earlier into the second, but the Nottingham boxer’s influence was beginning to grow as he breached Baker’s reach and got close enough to unleash his spiteful shots - which caused Baker to hold on occasions.

The referee took a dislike and gave a public warning to the Boston boxer with a point deduction.

This left the bout in balance and a big last round needed from either boxer to clinch the decision.

Matloga attempted the same tactics as he went on the offence with Baker cleverly stabbing in his attacks and scoring from medium to long range and using his feet to keep his distance to good effect.

The bell sounded and a split decision was given in favour of the Boston boxer, much to Baker’s delight.

Youth middleweight Oscar Watson was matched against Francis Reid of the Mamba Gym AB.

Watson spent the first round working out how to decipher Reid’s awkward style and southpaw stance in a close round.

In the second, Watson showed his hand and finally got to work, landing barrage of powerful shots in the London fighter’s way.

This caused Reid to hold in an attempt to contain Oscar.

The referee had seen enough and delivered a warning to Reid for his persistent fouling.

Watson was on the front foot now and delivered volleys of heavy shots to head and body that was surely felt and had Reid backing off.

Reid, while in the contest still, struggled to deal with the Boston boxer’s intensity and a unanimous win deservedly awarded to the Boston boxer.

Last but no means least was senior boxer Alfie Doughty against Ethan Hubbard of Retford ABC in a 3x3 minutes contest.

Doughty had overcome a bout of sickness just prior to the event but nevertheless admirably he was still there to compete.

Doughty and Hubbard both went to war in an all action bout that ebbed and flowed throughout as they both mixed in their attacks - breathtaking stuff.

Neither boxer backed down and gave as good as they got in a difficult to score bout.

Doughty would land and then Hubbard and this would continue back and forth through the bout.

Both boxers received warnings as they locked horns in the exchanges in a fairly even contest - it was a case of which way the decision was going to go.

The judges delivered their verdict, agonisingly for the home contingent a unanimous one to Hubbard - but both boxers received plenty of applause at the end of the bout.

The club would like to thank everyone for attending and supporting the event and the boxers and they look forward to hosting their next event.