Last Sunday the village of Timsbury was brought to a standstill with hordes of people making their way to Conygre Hall for a boxing event being by Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club.

With a packed venue and boxers on their toes warming up, the show got underway with three skills bouts featuring three Norton Radstock boxers. Touching gloves first was Mason Messenger who’s foe was Sonny Little from Wells ABC. Competing under the guidance of the referee, both boys showed all the skills that months of hard work can produce. Lots of good footwork and movement was on show and both lads showed plenty of heart.

Following the opening bout came Barnaby Thorp, a resident of Timsbury taking part in his very first skills bout. Barnaby showed great mobility as he worked on attacking from different angles, something that he’s been working on with his coach Sean Jenkins.

To finish the trio of skills bouts featuring Norton Radstock boxers was Kyron Cox who was also taking part in his first skills. Boxing with great confidence Kyron kept his opponent on the back foot constantly throwing good combinations. All three bouts were rewarded by trophies handed out by former British Middleweight Champion Nick Blackwell who was full of praise for all the boxers.

“I thought all my three boys performed really really well especially with the added pressure of boxing in front of family and friends and a home crowd whose expectations are high” said Nick.

Following the three skills bouts, clubs from all over the South West brought boxers to compete in the Western Counties Junior Finals. Ten finals were contested with an appreciative crowd showing their support throughout.

Once the finals were over, next representing Norton Radstock ABC was Ruslans Krumins of Latvia having his first competitive bout. Up against Jayden Price from Hope & Glory ABC in Wales, Ruslans quickly discovered his opponent was very strong so took to moving his fast feet and using quick combinations. With his opponent applying constant pressure throughout the three rounds it’s to his credit that Krumins finished the bout only to lose the contest on points.

Michael Gregory came out next also for his first competitive bout against Sam Pavey of Downend ABC. For three rounds both boys showed a good work ethic, constantly in each other’s faces.

Michael got to experience the winning feeling that comes after months of hard work taking the bout on a deserved points win.

Walking out next for his first bout was another of Timsbury’s sons, Ethan Carey. Boxing Alfie Forer from Tavistock ABC, Ethan came out showing good head movement leaving Forer punching thin air. Carey was clinical with his attacks in the first round leaving Forer tired and down hearted.

Coming out for the second round Carey started quickly. His attacks left the referee no option but to stop the bout, with no argument from his opponent, much to the joy of his followers.

Jayden Walker stepped into the ring next having his eighth fight against Cameron Underwood of Tavistock ABC. Both boys went hard at each other, Walker opting to try and box long range and Underwood determined to close the gap with powerful counters with Underwood having the most success. After three evenly fought rounds the result went the way of the Tavistock boy.

To close the show was an eagerly anticipated rematch between Jacob Moon of Norton Radstock ABC and Riley Catley of Downend ABC. The pair had met in December with Moon taking a hard fought points win. As the rounds progressed, it was obvious the bout was going to be similar to their first bout.

Both boxers were having their own success but Catley had learnt from the first encounter not to stand in front of Moon so was happy to counter Jacobs attacks. This proved a winning formula as Catley went on to take a unanimous points decision at the end of three hard fought rounds. To top off his success he and Jacob were both presented with their trophies by his dad Glenn Catley the former WBC Super Middleweight Champion from Bristol.

A fitting end to a great day of boxing and not a Youtuber in sight.

Coach Sean Jenkins said, “Done! Another show added to the club’s archives. I was, as always, immensely proud of all my boxers and their efforts. Some we won, some we lost but they will all learn and improve because of the experience.

“So it’s back to the gym and we move onto the next one, this is just the start of their journey. I’d like to say a massive thank you to Derek at Conygre Hall for being very helpful throughout the day and days leading to the event and to the team of volunteers helping me through the event. This was also a first for my two recently qualified level one coaches Ashley and Tom to gain the experience and to mature into two competent coaches, welcome to the amateur boxing world guys.

“So with a new team of fresh boxers and coaches the club is moving in the right direction. Onwards and upwards and on to the next show”.

Sean Jenkins