The latest news from the local boxing scene

Islington Gazette: Amy Pu won the Ron Hagland Cup (pic: Islington BC)Amy Pu won the Ron Hagland Cup (pic: Islington BC) (Image: Archant)

Islington BC held their annual BBQ and awards night on Sunday at their Hazellville Road base, with 250 members of the club, both old and new, in attendance.

Slavisa Gegic won the Courtney Fry Cup for the best newcomer of the season, which was arguably the hardest prize to pick with four boxers in contention.

Gegic has progressed through the club’s academy system and is currently unbeaten after his first eight contests.

“If he keeps working hard and improving as he has done up to now, he should do well in the sport,” said a club spokesperson.

Islington Gazette: Masood Abdulah won the Terry Emberson Shield (pic: Islington BC)Masood Abdulah won the Terry Emberson Shield (pic: Islington BC) (Image: Archant)

“We hope that this boxer goes onto win honours and will be entering his first championships in September.”

Amy Pu, meanwhile, took home the Ron Hagland Cup, which is awarded to the best club member of the year.

In contrast to the Courtney Fry Cup, the winner was unanimous, with Pu rewarded for her commitment to the club over the years.

“It has been a pleasure to work with this person and I’m in the future she will become a coach at the club,” said a club spokesperson.

“Amy also represents the club outside of the ring, volunteering as an England Boxing judge when possible, she is hoping to do her upgrade soon and referees’ course.”

The Terry Emberson Shield, which is given to the most improved senior boxer of the year, went to Masood Abdulah.

In his first season in the sport of boxing, Abdulah has made huge strides to catch the attention of the club’s coaches.

“He is already boxing in a level above himself and we have extremely high hopes for Masood of further improvement next season and quite possibly winning a National Title,” said a club spokesperson.

“His desire to win is very high and will make him tough to beat over the coming seasons at his level.

The award for the most improved junior boxer of the year, the Dony Spiro Cup, was taken hom by Dillon McDonagh.

The youngster has improved hugely over the course of the season and is showing plenty of potential in his training to really move onto a higher level.

“Dillon is a skilful boxer who moves around the ring very well and has improved his fitness levels as well,” said a club spokesperson.

“The club are hopeful that Dillon will enter his first championship in September.”

Jerome Campbell, meanwhile, won the Tom Doherty Snr. Memorial Cup, which is given to the most dedicated senior boxer of the year.

Campbell was the club’s most active boxer last season, competing 13 times in total, and has stepped up from novice to elite level in a short space of time.

“Without doubt, Jerome is an example to everyone in the gym with his attitude and work ethic,” said a club spokesperson.

“Jerome is always a pleasure to have around and is a real character in the gym motivating not only himself but his clubmates too.”

Joshua Strong was awarded the Gerard Smith Shield for the most dedicated junior boxer of the year.

Mo Gharib took home the Brian Regan Memorial Shield, which is given to the best senior boxer of the year.

Always boxing at elite level against the top boxers in the country, Gharib has consistently performed well and trained very hard to win eight out of his 10 contests over the past year.

The Colin Webster Shield for the best junior boxer was awarded to Connor Daly.

Having only joined the club this season, Daly has fitted in well and has shown great improvement to win six out of his seven bouts.

Mason Smith, meanwhile, was given the Ivan Bersch Cup, which is handed to the most consistent boxer of the year.

Club mate Lamin Conteh was also among those to win a prize, claiming the A&R Cup for being the best overall club boxer of the year.

Cherelle Brown was honoured with a Special Achievement Award in recognition of winning her third successive English title this season.

Club stalwart Derek McCann was named the Unsung Hero, having helped Islington BC in a variety of roles over the years.

There was also time for the club to name their new captains for the senior and junior teams for the new season.

The highly-determined Scott Smart will captain the senior team this season, with the popular Harry Betteridge set to take on the role for the club’s junior section.