DOWNEND Boxing Club held a second successful tournament in two months at Mangotsfield School in April.
First up at the event was 15-year-old Patrick Connors, who took part in a great non-decision skills bout with Crewkerne’s Norman Nation.
Next up was Miley Connors, aged 12, who faced the strong Lucien Johnson of Apollo Llanedeyrn boxing club, Cardiff.
Miley boxed at long range against the shorter opponent, in a contest that was very technical. After three rounds, Miley took a unanimous points decision.
Tom Shinner, 15, faced the tough Riley Gibbs, of Bodmin in Cornwall. Fast combination punches and movement prompted the referee to stop the contest in the final round in favour of the Downend boxer.
The Bodmin club also provided the opponent for Downend’s Ronnie Mills, 17, in a high-standard contest. A good technical start from Cornish boxer Kai Carhart saw a close first round, before some changes in strategy saw the next two rounds go to Ronnie, along with the points decision.
In his first senior contest, 18-year-old McKenzie Lawrence faced Chard’s Charlie Bevan.
A great clash of styles saw aggressive come-forward boxing by Charlie, and fast footwork and variety of punches from McKenzie, who took a unanimous decision.
The tournament followed the club hosting the initial rounds of England Boxing’s National Junior Championships at the school in February.
In other results, Downend’s Finlay Haskins lost to Ethan Walcott of King Alfred when the referee stopped the contest.
Vinnie Ellis of Downend lost on points to Euan Houghton-Maher of Empire, Downend’s Caleb Rees retired against Alfie Wilkins of Roman, while Downend’s Freddie Mogg beat Jacob Brown of Gloucester on points.
Downend’s Kai Adami lost on points to Lewis Green of Worcester, while Ben Carpenter of Downend beat Jed Chambers of Minehead after the referee stopped the contest.
A week later, 14-year-old Rocco Parker faced Ignas Mockus of Blake boxing club, Bridgewater, in Exmouth.
A nervous start saw the Downend boxer take some time to get his range but, after a word from his coaches, Rocco settled into his rhythm to take a unanimous points decision.
Through to the quarter finals of the national schools championships, after wins at the Western Counties stage, are Frank Gibbons, 12, and his 14-year-old brother, Rupert.
Special mention must go to one of Downend’s junior members, seven-year-old Marie Connors, who has been collecting with her brother Miley and other volunteers to support the Bristol Box Cup.
An online fundraising page for the event has been set up at tinyurl.com/bdx3nhzs.
The club is also looking for sponsors for the international school age tournament, taking place on June 21-22 at Thornbury Leisure Centre.
Anyone interested should email downendboxing@gmail.com.
Craig Turner