BURTON ABC threw a party to remember at Lichfield City FC’s indoor venue, leaving many fancied Midlands boxers with a hangover after bagging no less than four dramatic wins.
Taking the opening bell for the boys in red and white was Kyle Adams.
In his third and final skills bout the 10-year-old used a doubled-up southpaw jab to good effect in a non-scoring contest against Declan Durrans (Pro Fitness ABC). Adams continues to make considerable progress under the guidance of Trevor Marler and Rich Kirkland.
Jake Galer utilised a flurry of combinations in the latter stages to bag a unanimous points win over Mitchell Humphries (Priory Park ABC).
In just his third contest, the 13-year-old son of former Midlands area light middleweight champion Matt Galer demonstrated he has a bright future within the squared circle.
In redeeming himself from a Midlands ABA semi-final loss, 14-year-old Kasim Saqhulan unleashed devastating left hook-right hook combinations to get the nod on all the judge’s scorecards aginst Rory Layton (Walsall Wood).
Much credit is due to coach Matt Sturgess as 23-year-old Reehan Soofian continued his comback with aplomb in taking a thrilling majority decision against Geddington’s Tony Higgins, with a booming overhand right midway in the second session tipping the contest in the Burton man’s favour.
Burton’s performance of the night was undoubtedly Jack Gibson, whose outworking of Midlands champion Macauley Edwards (Bulkington ABC) was apparent to all bar the judges.
A unanimous loss was greeted with derision by fans in a packed house and disbelief by the 18-year-old, who showed considerable restraint in managing to compose his emotions. David Tomopolowski dropped a close decision to Josh Miller (Priory Park ABC) but head coach Richie Joyce remains confident that the Pole’s time will come as he gains in experience after just two contests.
It seemed like half of Lichfield had piled into the arena by the time one of their favourite sons, Marshall Evans, climbed through the ropes.
An avalanche of noise turned to stunned silence early in the opening session as Stafford’s Alan Lysaght sent the Burton ABC prospect skidding across the canvas.
His senses scrambled and his legs looking like the proverbial kid in a play pen, referee Terry Whitehouse made a judgement call in allowing Evans to continue. In a see-saw battle Evans completed a remarkable turnaround in the third round by forcing Lysaght to take a standing eight count, his tenacity being rewarded by a majority win from the men in suits as a delirious Lichfield crowd began to disappear into the night.
