RUMBLE IN BAVARIA
Hoddesdon select side edged out 6-4 by BC Eichstätt
WITH the season hardly begun, Hoddesdon coach Sab Leo took a select team over to Bavaria to box BC Eichstätt at the Festfeltz in the town centre on September 2. The boxing show opened a week of festivities for the town and the locals were treated to nine action packed contests in the massive beer tent, which was packed with over 2,300 people.
In the show-opener Hoddesdon’s Kyle Quinn faced local BC Eichstätt boxer Jan Richmeier. For two rounds Quinn was the classier and more dominant operator. Working behind the jab and sneaking the right cross through the guard of Richmeier, catching him out with Quinn’s sporadic attacks. An accomplished performance was met with frustration as the home boxer pocketed a split decision, much to the disappointment of Quinn and his corner.
Hoddesdon boxers George Mitchell and Faraz Abod made amends with two accomplished performances against strong German counterparts. Mitchell started slowly but found his range, landing thumping hooks to the body of Oskar Plasene, who had no answer to Mitchell’s work rate and movement. He resorted to infringements including wrestling Mitchell to the ground and landing blows after the final bell. Cem Yilmaz also struggled to contain Faraz as the Hoddesdon Boxer picked him off with rapid jabs and back hands to score a conclusive points decision. Faraz has had a lengthy lay off but oozed confidence the longer the contest went on.
It was a baptism of fire for Nico Leivars in his first senior bout as he faced German international and vastly experienced Sharafa Raman, 33 years old and with over 147 contests. Nico came out fast and furious, surprising his opponent and catching him with successive back hands. Raman used all his experience to tie up the advancing Hodbox boxer and apart from an occasional jab Nico was superior in the exchanges. A sense of urgency was required by the German international. Except for a few successful scoring opportunities he found Nico’s workrate too busy. Raman was careless with his head on a few occasions but collisions went unpunished as he tried to keep up with the pace. Nico was fast and accurate, but a 2-1 split decision went against him. However an amazing standing ovation greeted Nico as he left the ring. Nico is certainly one to watch this season.
Boxers from other clubs helped make up the team and another top performance came from late replacement Stanley Stannard of Clifton ABC. He had the daunting task of facing world ranked German Andre Merzliakov, who recently gave Cuban boxer Arlen Lopez a good argument in the Chemistry Cup. Stannard surprised his switchhitting opponent by keeping shape and landing the back hand from the southpaw stance repeatedly to secure the opening round. The German had to raise his game and showed his experience as the crowd backed their local boxer, who had success with several hooks. But Stannard stuck to the task and landed powerful combinations to set up an exciting last round. Both boxers were in contention to claim victory and as the pendulum swung one way, so it swung back as Stannard landed clean enough to have what many felt was a marvellous scalp. Merzliakov was awarded the contest on a split decision - but what a display from Stan.
London boxers Ola Alausa and Jordan Mcintosh, both from the Double Jab ABC, had mixed results. Ola was too strong and ground down and outpointed German rated boxer Max Meier at 81 kgs. Jordan lost an exciting encounter with Yunes Ramadan at 69 kgs with both standing toe to toe for a nine-minute exchange.
Blackbird Leys boxers both were edged out in their contests, Keenan Dallimore and Daniel Robinson both losing very tight split decisions. Yet again both contests were in the balance going into the last stanza. Remiquiz Syska and Volland Benedikt were their respective opponents.
Sam King received a walkover as his opponent failed the weight.
Head coach Sab Leo was full of praise for his team. “We lost the team match overall by 6-4 but taking into account the decisions that went against us it could have gone the other way. The crowd were welcoming and enjoyed nine action-packed contests,” he said.
“The boys were great and their performances this early in the season drew praise from the appreciative crowd that came to watch. Many of the audience greeted the boxers and told them it was some of the best boxing they had seen at the venue for many, many years. We have arranged a rematch on home soil for next May or June. As hosts they were wonderful. They couldn’t do enough for us and for that we thank them.“