Whitehaven & District Amateur Boxing Club have been involved in a series of top events, including a successful trip to Denmark.
A number of boxers from the club took part in the prestigious Hvidovre Boxcup in Copenhagen.
Seven boxers from Whitehaven took part in the event involving seven countries and around 300 boxers.
There were gold medals for Maani Campbell, Logan Orr and Charlie Hardy, while other boxers from the West Cumbrian club put in good performances.
Whitehaven took nine boxers on the trip, but only seven were allowed to compete due to withdrawals.
Scott Monan got off to a good start with victory over his Norwegian opponent, winning a clear decision after the final session. Coach Barry Acton said: “It wasn’t his best performance, but he did what he had to do to get the job done, and his first match with three-minute rounds.”
Max Thompson was next, but under strange circumstances, with Thompson in the ring and ready to go, his opponent refused to enter the ring. Therefore, it was Thompson who advanced to the finals.
Hardy then faced fellow English boxer Joben Lawrence and impressed with a fast start, working his jab well before switching angles and landing a barrage of punches that knocked his opponent to the ground.
The Whitehaven & District ABC team in Denmark (Image: Whitehaven and District ABC)
After a count was made, Hardy went on the attack again and with Lawrence unable to continue, the fight stopped. Acton said, “He [Lawrence] looked bigger when they got in the ring, but Charlie quickly cut it down to size and got the job done and got a place in the finals.
Next up was Deon Clark, the club’s most experienced player, who took on a Danish opponent who narrowly took the honors after a hard-fought match.
“This kid never lets you down,” coach Tim Savage said. “He always gives his all, no matter who is in front of him. I thought the Dane was better at it, but Deon enjoyed the experience and it made him hungry for more. A real asset to the club.”
Undefeated super heavyweight prospect Bradley Fox was making his comeback from a layoff and was involved in an all-English affair with Yorkshire prospect Sam Smith of Sedbergh ABC.
Another hard-fought fight went to the Yorkshire boxer after a points decision, but Savage said of Fox: ‘He’s an asset to the club – and what a war.
“The first half of the fight was ours; the second half was theirs. No doubt whatsoever about the decision. And no excuses, but Brad has been out for a while and was sick before we got to Denmark, but still wanted to box.
“It was a real barnstormer.”
Undefeated youngster Logan “Meatball” Orr was next up against Dane Yousef Konka – and some powerful shots saw the Whitehaven boxer secure a place in the final, with coach Acton praising his “aggressive, fast and brutal” performance.
Campbell then delivered Whitehaven’s first gold medal when he took on home favorite Deige Persson.
The West Cumbrian boxer controlled the first session before the Dane fought back well. In the final round Campbell started off stronger and then finished well to secure gold.
“It was another great battle and I thought we got the win,” Savage said.
“Maani dug deep and pulled it out of the bag in the last session. He’s a really talented guy, with great technique. He’s just so relaxed about things that you want to give him a try.
“When he’s on point, he’s hard to beat. Good performance.”
On day two of the tournament, Max Thompson took on Netherlands’ Jon Noblew in a final, defying an age difference of almost ten years to take on his opponent.
Thompson dug deep to win the first round but Noblew led the way in the second before having too much for the Whitehaven boxer to take victory in the closing stages.
Savage said: “Max was a little nervous about the age difference, but we know how good this boy is. Gave a very good account of himself, only that the man’s strength took over. He will learn a lot from this and come back stronger.”
Scott Monan next took on three-time Yorkshire champion Malachy Durkin and although Monan remained in the match throughout, it was Durkin’s smash-and-grab style that earned the judges’ nod. Coach Acton said: “It was a really good tournament for Scott, who is always fit and ready to box no matter who the opponent is – always the first in the gym and the last out.
“Experience played a role in the result, but he will have learned a lot from this weekend.”
Logan Orr then cruised to victory, bringing home a second Whitehaven gold against his Danish opponent, landing a number of clean and accurate shots and remaining ruthless throughout the match to claim victory.
“Again with Logan, what you see is what you get,” Acton said. “He went in with just that gold medal, and he got exactly that. Exactly what he deserved after a very good tournament. Thanks to the club.”
Victory for Haven’s Michael Garroway (Image: Whitehaven and District ABC)
Charlie Hardy then made it a golden hat-trick when he defeated Jimmi Doan of the Netherlands.
Doan proved a very tough and durable opponent, but Hardy started well, working from the corners and landing cleanly with shots that seemed to bounce off his opponent.
A slip in the corner from Hardy was ruled a knockdown, but right afterward Hardy fired right back and his strikes found the target.
The second round was nips and tucks, but Hardy landed the better punches and, after a tough final session, held on to earn a split-decision victory.
Acton said: “What another war, Doan looked very strong and proved it. Credit to Charlie for sticking with him and not being intimidated. He stuck with it and got what he deserved.”
Coach Savage added that it had been “a great experience for the boxers”.
“Can I thank everyone who helped with donations to make the trip more cost effective for the club,” he added.
“We’ve had a lot of people selling football tickets, to people who worked at the weekend and donated the wages to make this happen.
“We have had other sports clubs donate to get the boys there. Community comes together. We really appreciate it.”
Other recent bouts involving Whitehaven & District ABC boxers include an impressive win for light heavyweight talent Michael Garroway in Manchester against home favorite Benny Efoloko.
Scott Monan also performed well to beat Stirling’s Callum Stewart in the Scot’s home town.
The club also enjoyed a successful home show at a packed Whitehaven Golf Club, where twelve homegrown boxers showcased their skills.
Scott Monan with coach Dean Laughlin (Image: Whitehaven and District ABC)
Ten-year-old Fletcher Christian impressed against Leo Carter and in another skills competition Kieran Rudd took on Beau Dixon.
Tom Murphy’s latest skills match showed he was ready to step up to a full match as he faced Flookburgh’s Jake Robinson.
Maani Campbell was also in action as he took on Fleetwood’s Aston Campbell, who narrowly prevailed over the Whitehaven star.
Undefeated Logan Orr then claimed victory in a tough battle with Solway Spartans’ Paris King.
Ryan Clark then held on for a split-decision win against Currock House’s Jake Hartley, while Jason O’Neill claimed a narrow victory over Fenham’s Michael Boyd to maintain his own unbeaten record.
Experienced Deon Clark then claimed the scalp of Scottish champion Rhys Notman with a well-deserved split-decision win.
Charlie Hardy went to a split decision against Kevon Kelly, while Max Thompson entertained the crowd with a unanimous points victory over Jake Graham of Scotland’s Doonhamers gym.
Scott Monan then turned on the style to beat Furness Catholic’s Ryan Scott, an aggressive display that saw the referee stop the match.
Michael Garroway then marked his return to the ring after ten years with a clear points win.
The club thanked the match sponsors, officials and MC Ricky Burns for their support, plus Whitehaven-born Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and his family for being the main sponsors.
For more information about Whitehaven & District ABC, please contact Tim Savage on 07785107960.
Thanks to Tim Savage for the reports.