AMATEURS
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games, new GB champions are crowned at the EIS as they push for international selection
New GB champs crowned in Sheffield
‘YOU FEEL JUST AMAZING. I’M SO HAPPY, OVER THE MOON’
THE delight with which Sean
Lazzerini greeted the decision was palpable. He threw his arms in the air and yelled in triumph. His intense battle with fellow Scotsman
Boris Crighton was a box-off for Team Scotland’s light-heavyweight berth at the Commonwealth Games.
Both were in fine shape and fought at a furious pace. But as Crighton bulled forward, Lazzerini answered with heavy combinations. His shot selection impressed, a jab setting up a left hook then an overarm right. His left hook was key. At times it wobbled the tough Crighton on to the back foot. Boris did not wilt. Stubborn and determined he continued to come back at Lazzerini, pushing himself to work on the inside.
But Sean, ever industrious, left no doubt about the unanimous points verdict.
“It was unbelievable because there was so much pressure. It’s a big stage and it was all or nothing. The nerves before it… But when you get the victory the hard work pays off. Especially when it’s a hard fight like that, it’s so rewarding. You feel just amazing. I’m so happy, over the moon,” Lazzerini said.
The rest of the bouts at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield formed the GB championships. These pitted the Three Nations champions against a GB rival, presenting nongb boxers an opportunity to win an assessment with the Olympic squad.
Flyweight Lisa Whiteside,a World silver medallist for GB, tends to dominate at domestic level. But in Carly Skelly, boxing in the England vest, a new flyweight challenger has emerged. A southpaw, Skelly found plenty of success with her backhand left, catching Whiteside as she came in and driving Lisa back. Whiteside had to put weight into her straight shots and work hard to take a split decision victory.
‘THE PRESSURE’S ON ME BUT I’M NOT GOING TO AVOID ANYBODY’
“She’s a game girl, she’s a fit girl but I felt like when I was landing my one-twos they were hitting lovely so every round I felt comfortable, better as I got on. The third round, I knew she’d come at me, but I couldn’t miss with the one-twos. I felt really good,” Whiteside said.
“We’ve got to respect now that girls boxing is going up level by level per year, which is fantastic. So you can’t underestimate anybody. Obviously the pressure’s on me. I’ve got the number one spot at 51kgs now and these girls are coming for it and fair play. I’m prepared for it.”
“I boxed well and I’m just so glad I’m finishing the year on a high, ready to prepare for the Commonwealth Games,” she continued. “How long have I been the underdog for, against Nicola [Adams]. As you can imagine when we should have boxed each other three years ago, I was gunning for it. I had everything to gain and she had everything to lose. And now I’m into that role now. You’ve got that added pressure. I thought I’m not going to go and avoid anybody. I’m here and I’m proud to put my stamp down to show that I’m still number one.” Scottish welterweight Stephen
Newns bravely marched through incoming fire as he tried to shut down Harris Akbar. But he couldn’t get to grips with the slick Bradford boxer. Akbar exchanged with him, landing a long left hook after a straight one-two. Harris moved back deftly, just letting Newns’ punches fall short. By the second round Akbar was in his rhythm, slashing hard punches through Newns’ defence. He fired off a right hook, slamming it into the side of the Scotsman’s head to force him down to the canvas. Newns picked himself up, his work becoming increasingly wild. But he could not disrupt Harris. Akbar showed off his exuberant style, switching his feet and dropping his hands at times.
Though inspired by Pernell Whittaker and Naseem Hamed, Harris is trying to restrain the urge he has to showboat. “Now that I’m up at GB I’m starting to become a lot more compact, my hands up more. I’m to defend then punch, defend, punch, two, three phase attacks. As a Youth last year that’s how I used to box, with my hands down,” he noted. “Now we’ve stepped up into a bigger league so I need to box a lot more compact.”
“Hurricane” Harris won a unanimous decision to cap a fine year on the domestic scene, in which he became senior national champion for the first time as well. “Very pleased. It’s a good win for the end of the year so I’m glad about that,” he said.
“He’s game, very game to come and box. This is the third time I’ve beaten him, I can’t take nothing away from him,” Akbar continued. “I respect him.
“I’m aiming for the under 22 Europeans, which is roughly the same time [as the Commonwealth Games next year]. Go there and put a statement out there.” Welsh lightweight Mickey
Mcdonagh is one to watch. He circled Thomas Hodgson. Shifting from side to side, not allowing the English champion to set himself,