Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club has a new star beckoning for future success.
Twelve-year-old Jayden Walker, boxing his first skills bout for the club, was extremely impressive in starting his amateur career. Looking competent and unfazed by the occasion, Jayden boxed confidently with his jabs, footwork, defence and combinations over three one-minute rounds, all controlled by the referee.
Head Coach, Sean Jenkins, said: “These bouts are all about building your boxer’s confidence and experience of boxing in front of a large crowd, in what sometimes can be very intimidating places. So from my point of view, I’m looking to see how my boxer gets on with the job and basically repeats everything he does in the gym on a regular basis and takes it to a competitive ring.
“Jay did really well tonight and he loved the experience. There are still a few things to work on, but he’ll improve, and will benefit from tonight’s experience.”
Unfortunately, his older brother, Cameron, was not at his best this time, and came up short in his bout against a good boxer from Southampton, losing over three rounds.
Sean said: “After receiving a couple of good body shots in Round One, he never fully recovered from them, and acting on the advice from the ringside doctor, the referee stopped the bout with just seconds to go in the last round. It was a shame, but by Cameron’s standards he knows he didn’t perform to his best tonight, and was honest enough to say so.
“Saying that, even the best boxers get caught by a heavy body shot – it’s a crippling feeling and there is nothing you can do about it. I was proud of his efforts, and he was always in the fight.”