The third event dedicated to Macauley Moran to raise awareness of mental health issues is held in Manchester
ON Saturday September 14, young boxers came together once again to raise awareness of mental health and suicide issues affecting young people at the Macauley Moran Memorial Show.
Macauley was a promising young boxer that took his own life in 2014 at the age of 16, only months after winning a North West Region title.
After successful memorial shows in 2015 and 2017 the decision was made to host a memorial Show every two years in his name and give the proceeds to local mental health charities. This year once again it was decided to support Manchester Mind who provide mental health advice and support at their drop in sessions or at their cafe for 15-25 year olds.
With the help of Manchester boxing legend Anthony Crolla in attendance to present the trophies and choose the bout of the day, everyone had a great day with 14 exciting bouts of boxing.
The schoolboy bout between Bridgewater Salford ABC’s Bernie Mongon and Maelor ABC’s Cory Jones was always going to be electric with Mongon and Jones having boxed at international level for England and Wales. Jones took the bout for the Welsh club on a close points decision over Mongon but both impressed former world champion Crolla who awarded them with the Memorial nelts for bout of the day.
Another boxer to impress Crolla was St John’s ABC’s Tom Howley who was awarded boxer of the day after taking a split decision over Carlisle Villa’s Brian Barron in a 64kgs Youth contest.
As well as raising money for the charities it is hoped that the event raised awareness of mental health issues in young people and provided information of where they can go for help. More information on the work that Manchester Mind does in the region can be found on their website www.manchestermind.org or the Mind national website www.mind.org.uk.
TRIBUTES PAID TO TENNY TURNER
The well respect coach has passed away
TENNY TURNER, the respected coach who founded Turner’s Boxing Academy in Camberley, has passed away at the age of 53.
A statement from his club read: “In loving memory of our brilliant, funny, happy, kind, generous coach, mentor and wonderful friend. You will always be missed and forever loved. We will continue to make you proud.”
Stuart Gill boxed alongside him as an amateur at Basingstoke ABC. He paid tribute to him, telling England Boxing: “He was a genuinely brilliant coach who could always be trusted.
“I’ve spoken to so many coaches and people about Tenny today, and everybody has said the exact same thing – he will be sorely missed. RIP Tenny.”
Southern Counties Club Support Officer, Avoen Perryman, said, “He was truly a very happy and well-respected coach who could light up the room with his smile.”
SILESIAN OPEN
Whitwell held to bronze at tournament in Poland
TWO English boxers won bronze medals at the Silesian Open tournament. Shona Whitwell, one of GB’s lightweight contenders, and flyweight Chloe Watson reached the Elite semi-finals in Gliwice, Poland.
Whitwell halted her opponent in her first bout, stopping the host nation’s Aleksandra Jaworska in round one. She came up against the eventual gold medallist, Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira, in the semi-final, losing a unanimous decision.
Watson’s semi-final saw her lose to Canada’s experienced Mandy Bujold, the latter winning a unanimous points verdict.
England’s Ellie Scotney entered at 57kgs. Experienced Pole Sandra Kruk received a split decision as she took the verdict over Scotney. Poland’s Natalia Barbusinska also beat English welterweight Georgia O’Connor on a unanimous decision.
