ALCESTER School of Boxing’s six-man squad were all in action on Saturday night as the club hosted its first ever event at The Greig leisure centre in Alcester.
A capacity crowd watched as the club’s team captain, light heavyweight Damien Webb, secured an emphatic points decision over the more experienced Neil Marsh (Scunthorpe) in a bout that saw Alcester’s skipper knock down his much taller opponent twice in the second round.
“I feel amazing. The support from the crowd was unbelievable and I’m so grateful to have got the win in front of everybody,” said Webb.
“Thank you to everyone that came, it was a great night.”
Middleweight prospect Luke Stanley (Alcester Academy) took on nationally ranked number one boxer Tommy Kerrigan (Islington) in only his third bout and Stanley gave a terrific account of himself in a hard fought and evenly matched bout which he lost on points.
Adrian Keenan (Alcester Academy) fought three terrific rounds against Tom Stanford for the vacant Central England Boxing Development Flyweight title and, despite not getting the decision he wanted, it was close a bout and a rematch has been agreed for February.
In a battle of debutants from visiting clubs, William Gillies (St Benedict’s) faced Carter Clifford (Small Heath).
Clifford won the first round clearly and looked strong in doing so, but in round two Gillies got behind his jab and managed to force the Birmingham boxer on to the ropes, which saw Gillies win the round and level the fight at one apiece.
After an exciting third round it was hard to call a clear winner, but Clifford was announced as the split decision victor. Both boxers will have learned a lot from their debuts and the crowd would no doubt not mind a rematch.
Among the crop of Alcester boxers were two debutant youngsters who competed in skills bouts in which no winner is called, but provide young boxers with confidence for decisioned bouts.
Jai Stanley (Alcester Academy) was due to have a decisioned bout but his original opponent pulled out at the eleventh hour, so in stepped Mac Fallon of Manchester.
Stanley boxed very well and established his jab from the off. Fallon also moved well but Stanley appeared to command the bout from start to finish.
Also taking part in a skills bout was Aaron ‘The Atom’ Hoskins (26kg), who boxed Albert Winder from the highly regarded and decorated London-based Repton Club.
Both boys showcased their skills and Hoskins can look forward to more skills bouts as he continues his progress in the sport.
Todd Reeves, head coach at Alcester School of Boxing, said: “I would like to thank all who came along to support the team and who enjoyed a great night out at the boxing.
“Thank you to all our sponsors, The Greig leisure centre and Alcester Town Council for their continued support of our club.”
