JOINT VENTURE THE WAY FORWARD
Steve Goodwin is planning three pro-am shows next season after teaming up with Guildford City
GUILDFORD CITY ABC and pro promoter Steve Goodwin are planning three proam shows next season.
They teamed up at the York Hall on Saturday, June 11.
The pro show had to be scrapped after the paramedics were unable to attend, but the amateur show was a success and Guildford joint head coach Ben Harmsworth is hoping to work with Goodwin again.
He explained: “I work with the Boxing Board as well as and thought it was a way to get a better venue and nicer atmosphere without costing too much.
“It’s not affordable for us to hire the York Hall on our own.
“It helps the amateurs get the atmosphere. We had a show with 14 top quality bouts from 12 until 3.30.”
One of the stars was Joel Bartell.
The 20-year-old met Christian Thomas (St Pancras) for the vacant Southern Area Elite middleweight belt and won unanimously.
From first bell until last, Bartell was on the front foot.
Thomas looked to move and peck away with occasional jabs and refused to take the bait when Bartell stood in the centre of the ring and dropped his hands invitingly.
Bartell won a quiet opener with his jab, but by the final minute of the second, Thomas’ feet had slowed and he started to let his hands go.
Though he didn’t land everything he threw, Bartell won the round clearly and finished strongly.
He had Thomas pinned on the ropes for spells in the last and the bell came at a good time for the St Pancras boxer after Bartell slammed home a pair of solid rights in the dying seconds.
Bartell went on to reach the semi finals of the Haringey Box Cup where he suffered his ninth defeat in 38 bouts.
Harvey Orriss went home with the Boxer of the Night trophy.
The 17-year-old returned after being sidelined by injury for seven months to outpoint A Anwar (2wnd City).