Boxing: Llandudno ABC stars shine

Oct 20 2011

HOME town juniors stole the show when Llandudno ABC put on a spectacular night of boxing last Friday at Venue Cymru, reports Lee Hogan.

From a total of 10 bouts, Llandudno ABC had eight boxers on the card and Colwyn Bay’s Dyffryn ABC featured two, against mainly English opposition. 

Former boxer Ernie Price from Conwy, who competed in 70 professional bouts, awarded the trophies on the evening.

First up for Llandudno was 11-year-old Joe Hall who boxed excellently behind the jab to totally shut out Bangor’s Kevin Riley. 

Ben Hogan was narrowly edged out on a majority decision by Liam Search (Everton Red Triangle) in a bout that could have gone either way. 

Liam Taylor continued his impressive form by clearly outpointing James Lindop (Hulton Abbey).  The 2011 Welsh champion Taylor showed superior class and strength against a competent opponent.

Llandudno’s other current Welsh champion Tom Hearn gave a magnificent display of boxing against England’s Southern Counties champion Ryan Manifold (Northside). 

The two highly-skilled boxers displayed a marvellous blend of real attacking flair and solid defence. Hearn lost on a tight majority decision. 

Bout of the night went to 16-year-old Gareth Huffen, who stood toe-to-toe with West Wirral’s Louis Donnison.  Last year’s Welsh champion Huffen recovered from a slow start to head the contest with a grandstand finish showing his skills of defence and punching power.

Seventeen-year-old welterweight Sean Hughes made it five wins out of five to continue his impressive run in what was a messy encounter by his high standards against Ben Burnham of the West Wirral club. 

The bout was marred by the hard-hitting Hughes smothering some of his own work and his opponent looking to hold on to avoid hurtful shots.

On his debut, senior boxer Tommy Lehart was narrowly beaten by Clwyd’s Kyle Kendall in what was a scrappy affair.

Meanwhile, light-heavyweight Joe Kearns also dropped a close decision against Llay’s Sean Walker in what was a reversal of the outcome from last season. Kearns failed to pull back Walker’s early lead despite landing with some clean body shots. 

Dyffryn’s Welsh champion Billy Edwards was narrowly beaten for a second time against Ryan Briscoe (Everton Red Triangle) in another close bout. 

Dyffryn’s Ryan Urquhart also dropped a decision against Charlie Dilworth (Everton Red Triangle).

Hall picked up best schoolboy of the night award and Huffen was named best boxer.

Llandudno’s annual award for most dedicated boxer went to Liam Taylor.

Results:
Joe Hall (Llandudno) W UNAN Kevin Riley (Maesgeirchan)
Ryan Urquhart (Dyffryn) L UNAN Charlie Dilworth (Everton Red Triangle)
Ben Hogan (Llandudno) L MAJ Liam Search (Everton Red Triangle)
Billy Edwards (Dyffryn) L UNAN Ryan Briscoe (Everton Red Triangle)
Liam Taylor (Llandudno) W UNAN James Lindop (Hulton Abbey)
Tom Hearn (Llandudno) L MAJ Ryan Manifold (Northside)
Gareth Huffen (Llandudno) W UNAN  Louis Donnison (West Wirral)
Sean Hughes (Llandudno) W UNAN  Ben Burnham (West Wirral)
Tom Lehart (Llandudno) L UNAN Kyle Kendall (Clwyd)
Joe Kearns (Llandudno) L UNAN Sean Walker (Llay)