Boxing: Carlisle's Marc Haughan bids for national title

Haughan, from Carlisle Villa Amateur Boxing Club, will compete in England Boxing’s Senior Elite Championship final in Derby.

He will take on Luke Turner from Phoenix Fire in Warrington for the under-75kg amateur title belt.

Haughan, the north west champion, will face the Merseyside and Cheshire champion on Saturday having impressed in his quarter and semi-final bouts last weekend in Barnsley.

The 19-year-old overcame the challenge of midlands champion and No3 seed Will Smith from Hall Green, Birmingham, in the last eight before defeating No2 seed Chris Malunda, the Yorkshire champion and Steel City Boxing Club representative, in the semis.

Haughan’s quarter-final saw a bright start from Haughan which had Smith on the back foot, some solid shots hitting the target and Smith cautioned for holding.

The first round ended with Haughan applying pressure – Smith did have some success with the odd counterpunch but the Carlisle boxer was in control.

At the start of the second round Haughan was quick to take control once again with his sharp, powerful jab. A two-punch combination had Smith holding on, the referee was quick to separate boxers and on the restart an overhand backhand landed flush to the chin of Smith who was knocked through the ropes.

Marc Haughan's arm is raised by the referee after his semi-final win in Barnsley (Image: Carlisle Villa ABC)

He was up on four, but had not recovered at the eight count so the referee waved the bout off.

Haughan’s semi-final then started with the Villa boxer landing some quality jabs to the body which had Malunda boxing on the retreat.

A relaxed Haughan was letting his shots go, and a right hook followed by a long backhand landed well and the Yorkshire champion was forced to hold on.

Malunda continued to box on the back foot but could not land anything significant at all until a strong straight right hand gave something for the Villa boxer to think about.

It was too little too late to influence the judges in this round and Haughan headed back to his corner confident with the start.

A change of tactics in round two saw Malunda surprisingly try to hold his ground and try and force Haughan back. But this played right into the Carlisle boxer’s hands given his ability at close quarters, and some solid hooks and uppercuts had Malunda rocking, and once again he was forced to hold.

Haughan was now in the ascendancy, landing heavy shots to the head and body, with Malunda forced to go on the retreat once again. With success on the inside Haughan was now having success at long range, hitting the target with accurate jabs and sharp back hands.

Malunda was fortunate not to receive a warning as every time Haughan landed with a good shot he held on to prevent anything further punches hitting the target.

The bell sounded with Haughan and his corner once again feeling that the bout was going their way.

In the third round Malunda had another go of holding his ground and both boxers traded blows for the opening minute. Although he did have some success it was Haughan who landed the more forceful shots.

Malunda was on his bike again trying to elude the now marauding Cumbrian who was relentless in his assault. The Yorkshire champ was tiring but Haughan was showing no signs of fatigue, a thumping backhand caught Malunda flush and referee Rob Wileman stepped in to issue a mandatory eight count.

From the restart Haughan trapped him on the ropes where he let go with some solid body shots, Malunda was holding on again but referee was quick to separate the pair.

Marc was looking for that one more shot which would have surely ended the contest but Malunda did well to see out the round without any power shots landing and any further counts being issued.

Yet there was no surprise when the decision went to Haughan unanimously on all five judges’ scorecards, sending him into this weekend’s final.

Thanks to Jimmy Brennan for the report.