Boxing: Carlisle Villa ABC's success at packed-out show

The evening started with Villa’s 11-year-old Michael Ward who was making his ring debut against Middleborough’s Jack Moore who was representing Phil Thomas School of Boxing.

Michael boxed well in all three rounds, winning the contest by a unanimous points decision.

Another 11-year-old, Harley McNeil, with two skills contests under his belt showed he was more than ready for a scoring bout with a punch perfect display against Luca La Band (Sale West), also winning by unanimous decision.

Harley McNeil, right (Image: Carlisle Villa ABC)

Olllie Jemilijanovas was up against old foe Harry Stewart (North Road Gym) in a return contest from his show in Durham last season where Ollie lost on a split decision. On this occasion Ollie left nothing to chance, boxing well on the back foot and landing some sharp right-hand counters throughout the bout, taking the win by split decision.

Shane Lee Ralph just never got going, losing by unanimous decision against Oleksander Nadorozhniak (Collyhurst & Moston). Then 12-year-old Danny Salisbury boxed well, mixing it up with some solid pressure boxing and sharp counter punching against the very game Junior Magee (Phil Thomas SOB) but somehow lost this one by a split decision.

Villa’s Harvey Twigg let the occasion get the better of him, a bit too eager to impress, losing his shape and countered too easily, going down to a unanimous points loss to the game Joe Wright (North Road Gym).

James Maughan was up next against Ormskirk’s Dan Jakeman, James started strongly against the taller opponent, landing some good accurate shots to the head and body. He never let Jakeman settle, as he continued to throw sharp punches in all three rounds, taking the bout by a unanimous decision.

The 15-year-old Adi Jemilijanovas started well, just about edging the first round, but his opponent Brodie Lee-Evans stepped it up in the second and Adi could not compete with the pace going into the third, losing by unanimous decision.

Elliot Murray started his bout really well with a good first round and an even second, but he stepped it up once again in the final round, unfortunately going down to a split decision loss against Olly Stewart (Ormskirk).

Another Villa debutant Cameron Lowis was up against Grayson Keane (Kendal ABC) who came out at the first bell with real intent throwing punches with power. Cameron had a good high guard though and took most of these on his arms and gloves. Countering with some sharp accurate punches, he was scoring well. Keane came out for the second on the front foot once again, but it was Cameron who took control of the centre of the ring working behind a sharp accurate jab.

Cameron Lowis, right (Image: Carlisle Villa ABC)

Some quality exchanges brought the round to a close with Cameron on top. Keane tried to get back into the bout but didn’t do enough in the third and final round to influence the judges, Cameron winning by unanimous points decision.

Junior boxer Jayden Oliver was next into the ring in a contest against Joe Faulkner (Sale West). Another first bouter, Jayden was eager to impress and started well but was missing with the odd swing.

After a good talking-to by his corner at the interval Jayden came out for the second keeping the bout at long range, and was using his reach advantage to good effect. A gallant effort from Faulkner never let Jayden relax but it was Jayden who notched up another win for the Villa.

A to and fro contest between Lee Haughan and Kendal ABC John Faulkner had the crowd on their feet and was a tough one to call, but the Kendal boxer had done enough to get the nod by split decision.

The final bout before the interval had Carlisle’s first Senior Elite Champion Marc Haughan matched against Newcastle’s Chrissy Lowdon (Benwell Victoria) in a 3 x 3-minute contest. Lowdon started really well working behind his long jab. Marc pressed forward but Lawton’s clever movement and sharp counter punching ensured that he shaded the first.

The second saw a more relaxed Marc moving and countering really well, landing with a solid back hand, right hook combination which had Lawton on the back foot. A straight backhand to the body saw Lowdon retreat to the ropes where Marc followed up with hooks from both hands. Although Lowdon countered well it was Marc who was now in control as the bell sounded to end round two.

Marc was beginning to enjoy himself and roared on by some fantastic support Marc once again took control of the centre of the ring landing solid shots that caused referee Alvin Finch to issue a standing eight count. The final ten seconds saw both boxers throwing shots right until the bell sounded for the last time. It was Marc who took the decision unanimously on all three judges’ scorecards.

Bryce Dean-Norman was involved in a good contest with Cleator Moor’s Liam King. Both had some success in the first round but it was King who shaded this one. King stepped it up in the second and took a good lead in the third, finishing strong, he won the bout by a unanimous points decision.

Chara Ruangprat was matched with this year’s Scottish Western District Elite Champion Andy Meichan so he knew he had to be on his game. An entertaining bout ensued with Chara on the front foot and Meichan happy to cover up and counter with the single sharp shot. Chara shaded the first but Meichan was looking dangerous on the counter.

The second and third were more of the same with Chara throwing lots of punches and Meichan covering up well and countering with accurate punches from all angles. It was a tough one to call, unfortunately for Chara it was Meichan who got the nod by split decision.

A good crowd-pleasing bout brought the evening to a conclusion with David Quinn and Regan Coop (Legions BA) putting on a great display of boxing in a well contested 3 x 3-minute contest, David edging out the game Coop by unanimous points decision.

The evening’s award winners were as follows:

Best Schoolboy – Harley McNeil

Best Junior – Cameron Lowis

Best Youth/Senior and Andrew Charters memorial shield winner – David Quinn

Best Bout of the evening – Danny Salisbury v Junior Magee

Best Away boxer – Andy Meichan (Goodfellows BA, Glasgow

Thanks to Jimmy Brennan for the report