Barry Sport
Four titles for Colcot Amateur Boxing Club fighters!
8:00am Thursday 16th February 2012
COLCOT Amateur Boxing Club claimed four titles in the Welsh Novice Championships held at Bridgend last week.
First in to the ring was 12-year-old Joseph Gurd in the Schoolboy A 44kg category, fighting against the bigger Nathan Lock from St Josephs (Newport) – and it proved to be one of the toughest fights to date for the Barry Comprehensive pupil.
With both boxers giving everything they had to be crowned champion, they battled for three hard rounds, with Joseph taking the decision in a very close but well-fought fight.
Next was Maredudd Thomas, taking on Brad Edwards from Cwmbran ABC. Edwards came to fight, and fight he did with his southpaw stance.
He started the contest with strong punches and combined with his awkward stance he kept the Colcot boxer at bay, but by round 2 Mared had worked his opponent out. He took advantage of his long reach and then started to overcome Edwards, taking all of 3 rounds to claim his Welsh vest.
Kevin Gillen was fighting in the Senior 66kg category and after blasting away his opponent in the semis a week earlier in Swansea, he was looking for his first Welsh title. He had to take care of the well built Ryan McCann from the Gilfach Goch boxing club to do so.
Having watched the GG boxer in the semi finals previously, Coach Wayne Gurd and Gillen came up with tactics to see off the strong punching valley boy and this proved very effective, with Gillen outboxing his opponent in every department, taking all 3 rounds comfortably to win his first vest.
The week earlier in Swansea saw one of the best fights in the whole championships between Joshua Last from Colcot and Kevin Reed from Tylorstown ABC. The boxers had the crowd on their feet for 3 rounds with an almighty battle which Last won by a majority decision.
This time his opponent was Mathew John, from Pen Aber ABC, who he had a chance to study the previous week, and Joshua made easy work of his foe forcing him to take standing 8 counts in every round.
Finally in the 3rd round his corner had seen enough and threw in the towel to save their brave boxer from further punishment. Last wins his first Welsh vest.
There was disappointment for 14-year-old Joshua Whelan who on the night, despite being handicapped by a cold, was determined not to let that get the better of him. He was unlucky in his contest against Lewis Jones from Pencoed ABC with the taller boxer winning on a majority points decision.
It was a tough battle for the Barry Boys pupil but he gave a good account of himself given the circumstances.
Colcot Boxing Club, based at the Colcot Sports Centre, has been producing champions since its doors opened in 1987 and is still one of Wales' top gyms under head coach Wayne Gurd.
“I am very proud of all the boys who competed in this tournament," said Wayne.
"They have made me very happy with their progress to the next level of their careers and are certain to go on and win even more titles in years to come”.
If you are interested in starting boxing at the Colcot Boxing Club and are aged between 10 and 30, contact the club secretary on 01446 796853, and he will be happy to answer any questions about taking up this great, action packed sport.