Express & Star

Three bow out as Junior finals line-up decided

Published
Last updated

The West Midlands contingent could face a lengthy wait to box their national finals in the England Junior Championships.

more

A stormy week for the competition almost saw the tournament cancelled completely amid 'threats to life,'

writes Craig Birch.

A finals weekend was due to see champions crowned at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth last Saturday and Sunday.

The two-day event would have consisted of a semi-final and a final 24 hours later, but the police stepped in concerned about public safety after receiving intelligence.

Governing body England Boxing struck a compromise, so that the Midlands and their northern counterparts could contest the semi-finals on Sunday.

The Home and Western Counties have yet to even complete their quarter-finals, though, due to the problems on the South Coast. London can't join them in the semis until it's resolved.

Midlands fighters stepped through the ropes at Birtley Boys Boxing Club in Gateshead, a late switch of venue from the Havercroft Sports & Youth Centre in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Two divisions are separated by age in the juniors, one encompassing 2000-2001 born entrants and another solely for 2001. All bouts take place over three, three minute rounds.

Simran Kaur and Raheem Mohammed, both from Merridale Boxing Club in Wolverhampton, were both in action at Birtley.

Mohammed bowed out of the competition at 48kg in the 2001 only 'cadet' class, going down to a unanimous points decision against Darlington's WIlliam Ward.

James Mongan, from Priory Park Boxing Club in Dudley, was ready to box his 46kg contest in the 2001 ranks, but instead walked over when his opponent no-showed the event.

Walsall Wood's Hamzah Ahmed withdrew from his match at 57kg in the 2000-01 category, his club notifying the organisers beforehand citing the late change of location as the reason.

Kaur is on course for a second straight national title, stepping up to the Juniors for this season after last year's Schools accolade.

She entered the fray at 48kg in the 2000-01 girls section and extended her undefeated record to eight outings, with a unanimous victory over Scunthorpe Imps' Demi Cox.

Club-mate Kara Murray has a chance to claim her first national title. Byes have landed her a straight final at 60kg against Elisha Mannouch, from Swale Gloves in Kent.

Phoebe Hodson, from the Right Stuff in Stafford, was another to pull out because of travel issues at 63kg.

Paige Goodyear was eliminated unanimously at 54kg, after an all-Midlands last four clash with Solihull's Elise Glynn.

The double national champion, from the Brooklands home gym in Dudley run by former professional Darren McDermott, has gone up in weight.

[interruptor]

[taboola]