Islington Boxing Club had more to cheer as five of their boxers combined to earn wins on different shows this past week.
Shaun Thomas (under-60kg) progressed to the National quarter-finals of the Elite Championships on Saturday, defeating Aqib Fiaz (Northside) on a split decision in a close contest at Huddlesfield Leisure Centre.
The result could’ve gone either way in each round, but Thomas got the verdict to join team-mates Shannon Courtenay (under-60kg) and Amy Broadhurst (under-64kg) – fresh from winning the Under-22 European gold medal for Ireland – in the next stage.
The 14-year-old William Nantu (49kg) won on a split decision on the Turners BA show against Harry Chambers (Margate ABC).
The improving Nantu will be entering the Schools’ Championships alongside teammates Lewis Barone-Whelan (52kg), Kyron Hughes (48kg) and Caiden Hughes (50kg).
John McDonagh (56kg) won on the joint Fight for Peace/West Ham Boys show, after Eniola Akingbeoste (Fight for Peace) was disqualified in the second round for deliberately tripping him and punching him whilst on the floor in a messy contest.
Two more Islington members were in action on Tuesday on the Fisher ABC dinner show at the Millennium Hotel in London’s Mayfair.
George Bartlett (48kg) made his debut against Yusuf Hussain (Limehouse BA) and the first round was a close encounter.
Hussain was able to pressure Bartlett while on the inside and brawling, but the Islington 14-year-old went up a gear in the second and third rounds to dominate with crisp punches to his southpaw rival’s head.
And it was debut delight for Bartlett as he was announced as a unanimous points winner.
Bartlett is the grandson of former European Boxing Confederation (EUBC) referees and judges commission secretary and leading AIBA official Bill Cox, having returned to boxing late last year after a break.
Jason Mallia (69kg) completed Islington’s victory run as he defeated London Elite finalist, Ross Boyle (Fisher ABC) in the last bout of the evening.
Mallia was in control throughout the contest and, despite the lack of right hands, made up with his jab, which he landed often to the head of the Fisher boxer.
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