Mixed fortunes on the ABA glory trail

THREE boxers carried the Cleary’s ABC flag into the coveted senior ABA championships for the first time on Saturday and they enjoyed mixed fortune in the Warwickshire round at Stratford’s Civic Hall..

Nav Manku bowed out but Sean Greenfield and Myles Vale progressed to the Midlands regional semi-finals which take place at Dudley tomorrow night (Friday).

Manku, boxing 3x3 minute rounds for the first time, probably paid for a slow start and was edged out on points by the vastly more experienced Jorden Cooke (Triumph) in the 57-60Kg weight category.

Sean Greenfield, without ever being near his best, easily overcame Luke Bodicote (Red Corner ABC) in the 60-63.5kg category to set up a Midland semi-final clash against Ben Bourne (Studio ABC).

Coach Edwin Cleary said: “There is no doubting Sean’s ability but if he wants to progress he’ll have to step up his game considerably.”

Myles Vale, who is closing in on his 30th fight in just two years, used his jab to good effect and landed the better shots to come out on top in a scrappy brawl against Tommy Brown (Bulkington ABC) in the 63.5-67 kg division and now meets the vastly more experienced Michael Pardoe (Droitwich ABC).

Meanwhile, Cleary’s ABC is hosting its annual dinner show at Warwick School on Saturday.

It is another sell-out although tickets just for the boxing are still available at £10. They can be purchased from Edwin Cleary on 077233 89774, Adrian Bush on 07581 506820 or from the gym in Wise Terrace.

The bill, which includes local boxers from Jackie Turpin ABC, Stratford ABC and the host club, has been boosted by the addition of four top Midland regional ABA semi-finals.

Samson Sykes (Capitol ABC) meets Raza Hamza (Aston) in the 51-54Kg category. The pair have won nine national titles between them, while the former has also won gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Craig Morris (Lions ABC) faces Joseph Campbell (Aston ABC) in the 67-71 Kg category, while ABA novice champion Otis Treasure (Studio ABC) meets River Wilson-Bent (Exhall ABC) in the 71-75Kg division.

A top class heavyweight contest is assured between Fraser Clarke (Burton) and Davo Majimite (Capitol ABC). Clarke, who is ranked No 3 in Great Britain behind Ollympic champion Anthony Joshua and Jon Joyce, reached the ABA final last year and also won silver at the GB championships.

Clarke won a silver medal at the prestigious Bocksai tournament in Hungary earlier this month but will be pushed by Majemite who is a former ABA novice champion.

The Midland Counties finals take place at Willenhall Social Club in Coventry on Saturday, March 9.

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