3 CABC boxers competed at the Harwich ABC open show last night, and it was back to improving performances following some recent disappointments.
It proved third time lucky for exciting new junior prospect Jamie Cook. Following his two narrow defeats in his debut season, Jamie boxed local rival Elliot Morris from Castle ABC in an all Colchester Derby. Jamie started very brightly and was producing some nice fluid boxing for most of the first round. Scoring long range shots and proving elusive Morris was soon chasing to stay in contention. The Castle boxer had some success at the end of the first and this seemed to spur him on for round two. His attack was gaining momentum and it was soon Jamie who was struggling to match the pace. Jamie did the right thing by sticking to his boxing and managed to score well towards the end of the round. As soon as the last round was underway, Jamie seemed to find his second wind. His punching was very sharp as he speared Morris with unanswered left and rights, and it looked like he was going to cruise away with the result. To his credit though Morris gamely battled back and contested the affair throughout the remainder of the round.
With the cleaner work at range Jamie deserved his points’ decision and was very pleased to get his first victory. More importantly, and true for both boxers, it was a case of improved performances on the night and Elliot too can take heart from his performance.
Next in action for us was team captain Dom McGurl. Facing J.Ajayi from St.Pancras ABC Dom was soon under huge pressure from his bobbing, swinging opponent who attacked from the start with dangerous blows from both hands. Dom was managing to score with his jab but a terrific hook soon had the Colchester captain down for a count.
Dom came back towards the end of the first round with Ajayi guilty of too often hitting with the inside of the glove, and Dom’s cleaner, correct punching proving the difference. The second round followed suit, with the exciting St.Pancras man rousing the crowd with his all action style. Dom was scoring well enough but never forced Ajayi to stop swarming forward. Another visit to the canvas was ruled from an illegal blow, but Dom was being made to feel uncomfortable to say the least. Again, and through to the end it was the cleaner shots from Dom that would prove decisive and he received the majority decision of the judges with some of the crowd disappointed the aggressive Ajayi hadn’t “got the nod” .
Following straight on from his captain was light-middle Mo Khan. Under instructions to stick to his boxing this was to prove an impossible task. His opponent L.Moody from Rayleigh ABC was intent on disrupting the flow of the bout from the opening bell. He constantly lunged forward and leant on causing the affair to soon become somewhat scruffy. Mo was scoring when the two were at distance which only made Moody more intent on closing the range. This lead to him lunging from further out and Mo was soon receiving the full bodyweight of his opponent with too often a head, elbow or shoulder being the initial point of contact. The referee struggled to keep up with the infringements as Mo was guilty of holding as Moody lay on.
This mauling but hard fought affair continued to the final bell when it was the visiting Rayleigh man whose hand was raised. A close split decision to a bout best forgotten.
A dejected Khan was consoled by club mates afterwards and needs to take on board that in only his 3rd contest this was good experience gained, and that he’ll come back better for it.