THE preliminary stages of the England Boxing Elite championships got off to a low key start in London on March 20. Bouts from the South East London Division and one from North East London bookended the Lafone Cup at York Hall, itself a Metropolitan Police novice championship full of heartfelt action.
Repton heavyweight James Branch reached the national Elite final last year and the southpaw began his 2015 campaign in good for against Peacock’s Daniel Mendes. Branch moved in and out deftly, whipping his left hand into Mendes’ body, adding in attacking combinations to the head and winning a sound unanimous decision.
Charlie Driscoll, now at the Lynn, won the South East London 64kgs final against Joshua Nelson from Palmers’ Boxing Academy. Driscoll sank in heavy shots in close, his greater accuracy key and he sustained his workrate to win a unanimous decision.
Fitzroy Lodge enjoyed success at 81kgs, where Andre Sterling edged out Craig Richards (Palmers) on a split decision in their South East London semi-final. Lodge heavyweight Ricardo Slue is another one to watch, he halted the Lynn’s Richard Riakporhe in three rounds to win the South East London division.
Fisher’s Danny Carr halted Charlie Harrison (Fitzroy Lodge) in the third round in their South East London lightweight final.
The North West London Divs took place March 22-23. Results as follows:
56: Joseph Teal (Dale Youth) outpd Troy Smart (Islington) split.
60: Danny Rowe (Dale Youth) outpd Mo Gharib (Finchley) split, Rowe outpd Mo Yaqoubi (All Stars) split, Mason Smith (Finchley) outpd Jack Brooker (Northolt) unan.
64: Andrew Doe (Hayes) outpd by Bobby Woods (Neasden) split, Jeff Ofori (Islington) outpd Peter Liggins (Dale Youth) unan, Woods outpd by Ofori unan.
69: Will McDermott (Dale Youth) outpd by Kelvin Fawaz (All Stars) unan, Jake O’Meara (Dale Youth) outpd by Fawaz unan.
75: Hamid Sidiqy (Dale Youth) outpd, Kiev-Del Dyer (Haringey) unan, Obi Egbunike (All Stars) outpd by Joshua Burnham (Dale Youth) split, Sylvester Brobby (Dale Youth) outpd Jimmy Smith (Hayes) split, Yahia chelli (Times) outpd Sidiqy unan.
81: Archie Hutchins (Westside) outpd by Matthew Tinker (Dale Youth) split, Tinker outpd Mitchell Preedy (Hayes) unan.
91: Gabriel Chioccioni (Dale Youth) stopped by Danny Williams (Hayes) 2nd.
More good divisional bouts, including Ted Cheeseman versus Chris Mbwakongo and James Branch versus Lawrence Okolie, will take place on March 27 at the Troxy. The London semi-finals will be held at Earlsfield ABC on March 28 and the London finals will take place at 3pm at Fairfield Hall in Croydon. London Live will televise.
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