Hunt for national glory begins

THE CHARGE is on in the England Boxing Youth Championships.
Heart of Portsmouth's Bailey Fowler, right, defeated Moneyfields' national champion, Joe Butler  Picture: Paul JacobsHeart of Portsmouth's Bailey Fowler, right, defeated Moneyfields' national champion, Joe Butler  Picture: Paul Jacobs
Heart of Portsmouth's Bailey Fowler, right, defeated Moneyfields' national champion, Joe Butler Picture: Paul Jacobs

That’s after boxers served up some dramatic contests in the Hampshire round of the competition in Southampton last week.

Team Wiseman’s Lewis Dentith and Mark Chamberlain both marched on to the inter-county round of the competition in Kent today.

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They were joined by Heart of Portsmouth’s (HOP) Bailey Fowler and Billy Cable, who were both winners at Golden Ring ABC.

Chamberlain overcame the brave resistance of HOP’s Tyler Hall at 60kg, while Dentith chalked up the decision over Gym01’s Tom Ward at 64kg.

Fowler performed superbly to topple Moneyfields’ national champ, Joe Butler, at 52kg, while Cable overcame Team Wiseman’s Ainsley Hughes at 56kg.

Team Wiseman coach Daron Wiseman explained his boxers have been working tirelessly over the Christmas period – and that showed in their performances.

He said: ‘It was brilliant show and every bout was great.

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‘There was a lot of banter before all of the fights because the boys know each other.

‘Afterwards, though, they all shook hands.

‘The sportsmanship was first class from start to finish.

‘Mark has gone up from 57kg this season and looks strong.

‘He could be on the way to great things moving forward.

‘I can see him representing England a few times this year.

‘He’s physically stronger and getting more skilful. He’s a little machine.

‘For him to come through from seven to 17 and be where he is now is brilliant.

‘Ainsley will be back again, 100 per cent. He was supposed to have a week off but is already back in the gym.

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‘He was there Christmas morning with the others. You can’t keep him away.

‘Lewis has been grafting hard, too, and has been sparring round after round with Mark. They lift each other.

‘Hopefully they can both go a long way.’

HOP will now have a host of boxers entering the championships after walkovers last weekend.

Taylor Smith (60kg), Ivy-Jane Smith (54kg) and Walid Adenas (69kg) are all primed for action. Moneyfields’ Owen Hooper (81kg) is also involved.

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HOP head coach, Q Shillingford, had praise for Fowler’s fine effort against Butler, as well as Hall’s gutsy effort against Chamberlain.

Shillingford feels the competition so far has showcased the depth of boxing talent around our communities.

He said: ‘Boxing in the area is being lifted to a new level.

‘Tyler pushed a national champion in Mark all the way. The level is so high.

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‘Tyler reached the semi-finals of the NABC Championships, he is a talented boxer.

‘Bailey was absolutely superb. Joe Butler is a great lad and a great national champion.

‘Bailey has committed himself and Joe has beaten some real quality opponents in the past.

‘It was an anticipated bout and a great contest, with both boxers giving their all. There is strength in depth in Portsmouth.’

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