In early August, West Kingsdown Boxing Club held their first show for 20 months at their village hall and gym facilities, it was hailed as ‘The Comeback’ and proved to be just that with 21 evenly matched bouts between clubs as far as Portsmouth up to Leicester in attendance.
West Kingsdown Village Hall was packed and it was great to see amateur boxing back on, despite the club having to tell three of their boxers they wouldn’t be competing due to their opponent’s not meeting the agreed weights.
They did however, have three boxers on including Jesse Beaney who was first up for the club. Jesse’s opponent was Alfie Holman from the Heart of Portsmouth club. Jesse was boxing at a division above his normal weight category and the size difference was noticeable, despite this he put on a valiant effort and was unlucky to lose a (3-2) on a split decision.
Both boxers later received the best junior bout award and Jesse has since dropped back down to 37kg where he has entered the Schools Championships along with clubmate Denny Moore. They will be boxing in the pre quarter finals on September 12th.
Next up for West Kingsdown was another schoolboy contest, Billy Hilton having his first proper bout for the club. He faced a spirited effort from Charlie Knight from In Your Corner Boxing Club and the two boxers put on a great show with a big last round from Hilton sealing the win, Billy getting home by a unanimous decision.
The final boxer for West Kingsdown was 16-year old Ben Wheeler who had won his first bout two weeks earlier. This time he faced Finley McCarthy from the Sandwich Boxing Club.
Ben, boxing well from instructions, took his time early on before stepping it up and forcing his awkward opponent to hold on in the 2nd round and ultimately retire in the 3rd due to the pressure and power punching from southpaw Ben. He now goes on into the Junior Development Championships in September full of confidence.
The coaches were very happy with all three boxers who had done themselves and the club proud. They were obviously disappointed for those who never got on, but the bigger picture and more importantly, was the fact that amateur boxing is back and West Kingsdown look forward to a busy few months ahead.
They will hold their next show back at their home on Saturday 11th December.
