Summer 2008 Newsletter

Summer 2008

YORKSHIRE ABA The newsletter of the Yorkshire Amateur Boxing Association

HOLFORD TAKES SILVER IN EU CHAMPIONSHIPS Sheffield boxer makes her mark in major international tournament, beating Turkish and French opposition Congratulations to Sharon Holford (front

The final saw Sharon pitted against

left) of Sheffield’s Aspire ABC (formerly

Ouchen of France, a very experienced,

Handsworth ABC) for gaining a well-

world-ranked boxer. Sharon had

deserved silver medal at the EU

difficulty with the French boxer’s style,

Women’s Championships at Liverpool’s

going back to her corner 2-5 down.

Greenbank Sports Academy (4th - 9th

During the 2nd round her French

August).

opponent kept holding, but Sharon

The 52 kg semi final saw Sharon up

threw some strong shots ending the

against Yilmaz of Turkey. Sharon entered

round 4-9. In the 3rd round Sharon

the ring looking confident and relaxed,

continued throwing some heavy

throwing combinations of shots with

punches despite Ouchen continuing to

many failing to score, and having to

hold making it hard for Sharon to catch

contend with an opponent who kept

up, finishing the bout 4-14 and giving

Stop Press !!!!

holding. Using a strong right she was

her a Silver medal.

Middleweight James DeGale (second from

able to give the Turk a standing count

There is still a chance that women’s right), shows off his Olympic gold medal alongside Tony Jeffries (light heavyweight boxing will be included in the London

during the 2nd round, ending it 7-13. throwing some strong head shots and

2012 Olympic Games, so the incentive is bronze), David Price (super heavyweight there for any young women between the bronze) and GB Head Coach Terry Edwards. All

keeping out of reach just enough to end

ages of 14 and 29 thinking of taking up

three medallists and their coach agree that the

the bout on a fantastic 15-15. On count

the sport, that you might even get to

last two years based at the English Institute of

back Sharon won 34-28 much to the

compete at the biggest sporting event

Sport in Sheffield have been vital to their

annoyance of the Turkish team, but to

this country has ever known! Look on

success. Let’s hope that some Yorkshire boxers

the delight of Team England.

the ABAE website at www.abae.co.uk

can emulate their achievements in 2012.

Sharon kept Yilmaz on her back foot

for details of your local clubs.

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FEATURED OFFICIAL

FEATURED CLUB

RAY BLACK Which boxing clubs have you belonged to? I’ve been a member of two clubs since 1948 - Hull Fish Trades ABC and Hull Boys’

PARSONS CROSS ABC

Club ABC where I’m still a member. First bout officiated at: 1969 - I was the medical officer’s

Founded: 1983

assistant at a local tournament.

Location: The gym is in an outbuilding in the grounds of

Best bout refereed: My favourite moment was refereeing the

Mansel Primary School, Mansel Crescent, on Sheffield’s

bout when Ricky Hatton won his ABA title.

Parsons Cross estate.

How much has officiating changed over the years?: Quite a

Opening hours: 4.30pm til late (doors close when training

lot, especially since the introduction of the computer.

finishes!)

What’s your favourite role as an official? My favourite role

Coaches: Bob Wright, Andrew Manning, Patrick Wills,

is refereeing, because it is the closest thing to actually

Danny Howden, Wayne Millen.

boxing.

Rising Stars:

How do you think the ABA can get more people involved in

Joe Rogers (60kg) - 18 year old double national cyp winner

officiating? By lowering the age limit and encouraging

added the scalp of the Canadian National Champion to his

young people to sit at the ringsidewith an experienced

belt last season, and steps up to the Senior ABAs this year.

official, and to judge the bout or act as a timekeeper. This

Callum Cotton (69kg) - 17 year old former Junior Novice

way they would get first hand experience.

(u-10 bouts) Champion seeking to make a big mark this

When you’re not officiating what do you do? Painting is my

season.

favourite hobby. (Ray currently has a painting on display at

Ben Atkin (91kg) - Heavyweight former Novice (u-20 bouts)

the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, which depicts a scene of life

Champion also expected to do well in the coming season.

on a trawler, harking back to the days when Ray himself

Contact: Bob Wright on 0788 4222025 or 0114 246 2982.

was a trawlerman).

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Dedicated Kingston ABC Chairman passes away

IN MEMORY OF IAN RIDLEY KINGSTON ABC

Sue Thompson, Assistant Coach and Treasurer of the Kingston Amateur Boxing club in Hull, has informed me of the sad news that the club’s Chairman Mr Ian Ridley has recently passed away. Ian was an avid amateur boxing fan and did an enormous amount of work for the club over the years. It was typical of the man that, despite having cancer, he still attended the club three nights a week, and opened up himself on a Sunday two weeks before he died. His tireless fundraising ensured that the clubs boxers were able to train and compete at all levels. Without people like Ian the sport of amateur boxing would surely not survive. In tribute to him, and on behalf of the club, Sue said that “Ian never moaned about anything and all of us are so upset about his passing. He was a true gentleman and a great friend to us all. The welfare of our lads and lasses was paramount to him. He will be sorely missed by all at the club”.

Bradford College Boxing Academy and Development Officer changes

quality boxing coaching alongside their

the terrific amount of support I’ve received

academic studies in this great new setting.

from all in the local boxing community, and

As you can see from the above advertisement,

As part of the new Bradford programme I will

I’m sure that Bradford and West Yorkshire will

be leaving my post as Sheffield Boxing

be just as progressive. I look forward to taking

Development Officer in September to take up

up my new post and helping my Sheffield

the new job as Bradford Boxing Development

replacement to settle in (I’ll still be doing the

Officer, funded by the college and the Police

newsletter).

Community Clubs of Great Britain. My two

Paul Porter - Sheffield Boxing Development

years as Sheffield BDO have been notable for

Officer

Bradford College is about to open the doors of its new Boxing Academy, which means that boxing will take its place in the curriculum at the college alongside other sports such as rugby league, football, basketball and fitness. Residential and day students will receive top

Bradford College Boxing Academy What is the Bradford College’s Boxing Academy? The Boxing Academy is a collaboration between Bradford College, the Police Community Clubs of Great Britain and the Amateur Boxing Association of England. The Academy offers you the opportunity to combine boxing training with academic studies. The programme is open to male and female boxers.

Set within the main college campus, the new Trinity Green building will house all Sports provision which include fantastic state-of-theart sports facilities. Also, as you may be leaving home for the first time, Bradford College can offer you great accommodation within the main campus. For further details check our website.

Want to find out more about the Boxing Academy? Contact us on: 01274 433333 [email protected] www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk

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ACTION FROM YORKSHIRE V CANADA - 2008

Report from World of Fitness, Leeds:

We’ve received so many positive comments

managed to pull off bringing together some of

The Yorkshire Region ABA, top Leeds-based

about the quality and standard of boxing and

the UK’s best boxing talent with Canada’s

amateur boxing club Batesons ABC,

best amateur boxers watched and

and World of Fitness Ltd, joined forces

supported by boxing talent past,

to hold the regions most prestigious

present and future. Our guests

amateur boxing event of 2008 at

enjoyed a great meal and the

Saviles Hall, Leeds. The fundraising

evenings entertainment, including an

event brought together the crème de

auction of boxing memorabilia and

la crème of Yorkshire’s young boxing

fabulous entertainment provided by

talent (some of whom are now training

hip hop crew, Fresh Jive, brought the

with the England team) with Canada’s

house down!”

best amateur boxers. !

Terry Marsh, ex undefeated light

Martin Bateson, Head Coach at Bateson’s ABC said, "First on were 3 supporting bouts from local gyms and first timer for Batesons ABC Fabian Baz performed very well giving away a close decision to his opponent. Qais Ashfaq, !twice national champion, boxed well to cruise to victory and young Jack Bateson continues with his

how entertaining all the bouts were - well done

progress towards a third national title by

to all that took part and a big thank you to the

maintaining his excellent winning record.

Canadians for making it such a great show. One of !the best bouts of the night for me was Daven Chopra against Stephen Wilcox (Canada). Chopra winning by a unanimous decision - was the real deal!" The black tie spectacular, with special guests including Terry Marsh, Ryan Rhodes, Henry Wharton and Derek Roche presenting the !winners prizes, raised almost !£7,000 to help support young people participating in sports with training, competitive and equipment costs. Anne Bateson, Executive Director of World of Fitness reflects, “It was certainly a night to remember. We

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welter-weight world champion says, “I was so glad to support an event that has its roots in the community. The lads did great out there and of course, I’m pleased that the England boxers came out on top.” Anne adds, “Around 650 guests joined us for the evening and I am so pleased that we managed to raise a substantial amount of money that will enable us to help financially support both individuals and community groups across the region. The more money we raise the more support we can provide.”

MORE NEWS . . . Nicola Adams hopes to go one better than last year in the 2008 Witch Cup in Hungary 5601 and ask to speak to Matt, Jez or

9th: YIP ABC, The Drum, Bentley,

Rachel to make a booking. Don’t forget to

DN12 4DG

mention that you are a Yorkshire amateur

9th: Burmantofts ABC, Irish Centre,

boxing club and that you qualify for the

Leeds, LS9 9NT

‘community rate’ (about £19 per hour). So

10th: Halifax ABC, Halifax Gym, HX3 5QN

even a three-hour session for twenty

10th October: Hard & Fast ABC, Consort

boxers costs less than £3 per head. If

Hotel

several clubs want to bring boxers along

14th: Hull Saints ABC, Cavalier Club, Hull,

for sparring at a high-quality ‘neutral’

HU6 8AG

venue they can organise it between

15th: Sharkeys ABC, Harehills Labour

themselves, with one person taking

Club, LS9 7BX

overall responsibility for payment, boxers’

16th October: Doncaster Plant ABC,

behaviour etc.

Edlington Top Club, DN12 1DL

on her silver medal from last year by

Yorkshire Region AGM

17th: Batesons ABC, John Charles

gaining a gold at this year’s Witch Cup in

At the Yorkshire Region AGM on 22nd

Hungary (3rd - 7th September). Good

June 2008 all officers were returned, as

Airedale ABC

follows:

21st: Locky’s ABCBirdwell Club, S70 5UY

Eric Hoyland!- Hon Secretary

22nd: Association Junior Finals spin-off,

Bob Wright!- Medical Registrar

Airedale ABC

Trinity Green Sports Complex at Bradford

Harry Pritchard!- Hon Treasurer

23rd: Parson Cross ABC, Colley Club,

College. The meeting is open to anybody

John Lee - Appointment Secretary

who is interested in developing boxing as

Ray Black!- President

a women’s sport.

Boxing Show List (subject to

Nicola Adams (above) hopes to improve

luck, Nicola! Also on the women’s boxing front, there will be a Yorkshire Women’s Boxing Development Meeting on Tuesday 14th October, 7-9pm, in Room 1.10 of the

Use the same gym as DeGale ! Would your club or a group of clubs like to use the same gym that the Olympic middleweight gold medallist James DeGale trained for Beijing 2008 in? Well now you can! On most Saturday mornings the gym at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield is available for private use. If you want to use it you can contact the venue direct on 0114 223

Your stories & photos, please! Please send your club stories and photos to [email protected] . Please don’t send results and reports of shows unless they include some unusual angle, such as a boxer who has overcome great odds to achieve a dream etc.

Centre, Leeds, LS11 5DJ 18th: Association Finals - Junior Novice,

S5 9LS 24th: Ringside ABC, Kellingley Club, Knottingley, WF11 8ER 24th: East Hull ABC, Eastmount

changes - please check!)

Recreation Centre

October

S9 8HY

29th: Unity ABC, Darnal Liberal Club,

2nd: Bridlington ABC, The Spa,

31st: Aspire ABC, Cedar Court Hotel,

Bridlington, YO15 3JH

WF4 3QZ

3rd: Tom Hill ABC, Denaby Miners Welfare, DN12 4AQ 7th: Scarborough ABC, Primrose Valley,

For a list of all forthcoming boxing

YO14 9RF

shows in Yorkshire see

8th: Malthouse ABC, Rotherham Trades

www.yorkshireaba.blogspot.com

Club, S60 1RB

Paul Porter, Sheffield Boxing

YORKSHIRE ABA Regional Secretary

Development Officer

Eric Hoyland

0114 223 5642 [email protected]

[email protected]

Edited & compiled by

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