Whitehaven & District ABC impress at home and overseas

A number of the club’s boxers took part in the prestigious Hvidovre Boxcup in Copenhagen.

Seven boxers from Whitehaven competed in the event which involved seven nations and some 300 boxers.

There were gold medals, for Maani Campbell, Logan Orr and Charlie Hardy, while other boxers from the west Cumbrian club put in good performances.

Whitehaven took nine boxers on the trip but only seven got to compete due to pull-outs.

Scott Monan got things off to a good start with victory over his Norwegian opponent, winning a clear decision after the final session. Coach Barry Acton said: “It wasn't his best performance but he did what he had to do to get the job done, and his first contest doing three-minute rounds.”

Max Thompson was next up but, in strange circumstances, with Thompson in the ring and raring to go, his opponent refused to get in the ring. Hence it was Thompson who edged through to the final.

Hardy then faced fellow English boxer Joben Lawrence and impressed in a fast start, working his jab well before switching the angles and landing a barrage of punches that sent his opponent to the ground.

The Whitehaven & District ABC squad in Denmark (Image: Whitehaven & District ABC)

After a count was administered, Hardy went on the attack again and with Lawrence unable to continue, the bout stopped. Acton said: “He [Lawrence] looked the bigger man when they got in the ring, but Charlie soon chopped him down to size and got the job done and a place in the final.” 

Next up was the club's most experienced performer in Deon Clark, who took on a Danish opponent who narrowly got the nod after a closely-fought contest.

“This lad never lets you down,” said coach Tim Savage. “He always gives it his all whoever is in front of him. I thought the Dane edged it, but Deon enjoyed the experience, and it made him hungry for more. A real credit to the club.” 

Bradley Fox, the unbeaten super heavyweight prospect, was making his comeback after a lay-off and was involved in an all-English affair with Yorkshire prospect Sam Smith from Sedbergh ABC.

Another hard-fought bout went to Yorkshire boxer’s way on a points decision, but Savage said of Fox: “He’s a credit to the club – and what a war.

“The first half of the fight was ours; the second half was theirs. No qualms about the decision. And not making excuses, but Brad has been out for a bit and has been ill before we arrived in Denmark, but still wanted to box.

“It was a proper barnstormer.” 

Unbeaten youngster Logan “Meatball” Orr was then up against Dane Yousef Konka – and some powerful shots saw the Whitehaven boxer clinch a place in the final, with coach Acton praising and “aggressive, fast and relentless” performance.

Campbell then delivered the first gold medal for Whitehaven when he took on home favourite Deige Persson.

The west Cumbrian boxer controlled the first session before the Dane fought back well. In the final round, Campbell started the stronger and then finished well to secure gold.

“It was another great battle and I thought we edged it,” said Savage.

“Maani dug deep and pulled it out of the bag in the last session. He’s a really talented lad, with great technique – he is just so laid back about things that you want to give him a shake.

“When he is on point, he is hard to beat. Great performance.”

On day two of the tournament, Max Thompson took on Netherlands’ Jon Noblew in a final and defied a near ten-year age gap to take on his opponent.

Thompson dug deep to take the first round but Noblew edged the second before having too much for the Whitehaven boxer in the final stages to earn victory.

Savage said: “Max was a little nervous about the age difference, but we know how good this lad is. Gave a real good account of himself, just that man strength took over. He will learn a lot from this and come back stronger.” 

Scott Monan then took on three-time Yorkshire champion Malachy Durkin and, while Monan stayed in the contest throughout, it was Durkin’s smash-and-grab style that got the judges’ nod. Coach Acton said: “It was a really good tournament for Scott, who’s always fit and ready to box, no matter who the opposition is – always first in the gym and last one out.

“Experience played a part in the result but he will have learned a awful lot from this weekend.” 

Logan Orr then swept to victory to bring home a second Whitehaven gold against his Danish opponent, landing some clean and accurate shots and staying relentless through the contest to claim victory.

“Again with Logan, what you see is what you get,” said Acton. “He went in only wanting that gold medal, and got exactly that. Just what he deserved after a very good tournament. Credit to the club.”

Victory for Haven's Michael Garroway (Image: Whitehaven & District ABC)

Charlie Hardy then made it a gold hat-trick as he defeated Jimmi Doan from the Netherlands.

Doan proved a very tough and durable opponent, but Hardy started well, working the angles and landing cleanly with shots that appeared to bounce off his opponent.

A slip in the corner from Hardy was ruled as a knockdown, but straight after the count Hardy fired right back and his assaults were finding the target.

The second round was nip and tuck but Hardy landed the cleaner punches and, after a tough final session, held on to clinch a split decision win.

Acton said: “What another war, Doan looked very strong and proved so. Credit to Charlie – he stayed with him and wasn't intimidated. He stuck at it and got what he deserved.” 

Coach Savage added that it had been “an amazing experience for the boxers”.

“Can I thank everyone that has helped with donations to make the trip more cost effective for the club,” he added.

“We have had loads of people selling football cards, to people working weekends and donating the wages to make this happen.

“We have had other sporting clubs donate to get the lads there. Community coming together. We do really appreciate it.” 

Other recent contests involving Whitehaven & District ABC boxers included an impressive victory for light-heavyweight prospect Michael Garroway in Manchester against home favourite Benny Efoloko.

Scott Monan also performed well to defeat Stirling’s Callum Stewart in the Scot’s home city.

The club also enjoyed a successful home show at a packed Whitehaven Golf Club, as 12 home-grown boxers showcased their skills.

Scott Monan with coach Dean Laughlin (Image: Whitehaven & District ABC)

Ten-year-old Fletcher Christian impressed against Leo Carter and another skills contest saw Kieran Rudd take on Beau Dixon.

Tom Murphy’s final skills contest showed his readiness for the step up to a full contest, as he faced Flookburgh’s Jake Robinson.

Maani Campbell was also in action as he took on Fleetwood’s Aston Campbell, who narrowly got the better of the Whitehaven star.

Unbeaten Logan Orr then claimed victory in a tough battle with Solway Spartans’ Paris King.

Ryan Clark then held on for a split decision victory against Currock House’s Jake Hartley, while Jason O’Neill claimed a tight victory over Michael Boyd from Fenham to maintain his own unbeaten record.

The experienced Deon Clark then claimed the scalp of Scottish champion Rhys Notman with a well-earned split decision win.

Charlie Hardy went down to a split decision against Kevon Kelly, while Max Thompson entertained the crowd with a unanimous points win over Jake Graham from Scotland's Doonhamers gym.

Scott Monan then turned on the style to defeat Furness Catholic’s Ryan Scott, an aggressive showing leading the referee to stop the contest.

Michael Garroway then marked his return to the ring after a decade out with a clear points win.

The club thanked the bout sponsors, officials and MC Ricky Burns for their support, plus Whitehaven-born Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and his family for being the main sponsors.

For more information on Whitehaven & District ABC, contact Tim Savage on 07785107960.

Thanks to Tim Savage for the reports.