Manx ABC’s busy season continued with three of its boxers travelling to Blackpool for Fleetwood ABCs recent charity dinner show.
Held in the plush surroundings of the elegant Cliffs Hotel, this was the club’s first outing of 2014.
A tough training programme, which continued through the Christmas period, reaped its reward as the Manx boxers’ fitness levels seemed well above their English counterparts.
The first bout of the night saw Manx ABC’s Sammy Gelling take on Carlisle Villa ABC’s Jimmy Andrews in a Junior ABA regional semi-final.
Gelling was beaten by Andrews in last year’s regional final but the Manx boxer’s aggressive and explosive start made sure that result would not be repeated.
The Manx boxer continued to close his man down and on more than one occasion had the Cumbrian in trouble.
Under the new scoring system Gelling ended the first round 10-9 to the good.
The second round saw Andrews start a bit brighter, but Gelling showed great defensive skills before unloading quality body shots.
Gelling’s work rate increased as the round went on and at the end of it he recorded another 10-9 score in his favour.
Sensing he was behind on points the Carlisle boxer flew out of the corner with real conviction at the start of the third but was met by a determined Gelling who was not going to let this one slip.
The latter began to mount multiple attacks of his own and at the end of the bout Gelling secured the win and a place in the NW regional final with a final score of 30-27.
Next on canvas for Manx ABC was Toby Finch who boxed Whitehaven ABC’s Joseph Graham in a schoolboy contest.
This was a cracking bout with both boxers displaying good skills.
Finch started much the busier firing out fast lead jabs and quick counter punches on his way to winning the first round 10-9.
The second round was a much tighter affair with the Whitehaven boxer having good success with his long south-paw jab as he squared things up by winning the second 9-10.
Both youngsters were keen to impress in the final round and both had a real go at each other but unfortunately for the Douglas-based boxer the night saw its first split decision in favour of Graham.
Last in action up Manx ABC was team captain and 2014 Commonwealth Games hopeful Daniel Roberts who took on Fleetwood ABC’s hard-punching home favourite Sean McGann in a senior welterweight contest.
This was a classy and stylish performance by the Manx boxer who made light work of a potentially tricky opponent.
Roberts was never in any trouble and after a 10-9 convincing first round he almost stopped his opponent in the second.
A solid right hook from the Manxman sent McGann’s gumshield flying out of his mouth giving the referee no option but to issue the Fleetwood boxer a standing count.
A sustained attack from the island skipper saw the referee issue the local lad his second standing count but McGann showed real guts to hang on to the bell as he ended the round 10-8 down.
The third round saw Roberts show his full array of skills as he made his man miss before countering with fast one-twos.
Jeered on by the partisan crowd McGann threw caution to the wind in the fourth and final round but it was too little too late as the Manx ABC man won the contest a very convincing 40-35.
The Manx ABC’s next outing will be the North West regional finals in Manchester’s Walkden Sports Centre this weekend.
Devine will box Leigh ABC’s Adam Ridge for the Junior 60kg class B title, while Sammy Gelling will take on Pool of Life ABC’s Raheem Raja for the 64kg class A junior crown.
Isle of Man boxing fans won’t have long to wait to watch the Manx ABC’s next crop of young talent as it hosts a show at the Villa Marina on Saturday, March 29.
Tickets are priced at £11 and are available from the Villa box office.
Ringside tables can be purchased by contacting Peter Roberts on 620152 or by emailing peterant@mcb.net