Shorter season still one to remember for boxers
THE ABRUPT end to the season didn’t prevent it from being one to remember for Halifax Boxing Club.
It started in September with Jordan Healey going for glory in the Yorkshire Development Championships and he began with a unanimous victory over Eastburn ABC’s C Spencer in the semi-finals.
A week later and Jordan was crowned Yorkshire champion when he saw off Sheffield Aspire fighter A Geelan.
He went onto the regional quarter-finals, losing out on a dubious split decision, but it was still a great achievement for his first season.
The following month, rising star Rhys Sanasy entered the NABGC (National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs) championships, which attracts some of the best young boxers.
Rhys triumphed in the Yorkshire final against H Hamed, from Lights Out ABC, and went on to box national champion Cameron Young in the regional quarter-final in another close fight. Halifax coach Mick Rowe said “It was a great effort from everyone at the club to have two champions in the space of four weeks.”
Mick and his wife Lyn got the chance to meet Tyson Fury in a special night in Manchester, shortly before his clash with Deontay Wilder.
Rhys Sanasy was back in action straight after Christmas, fighting in the Yorkshire Youth Championships semi-final were he celebrated a unanimous decision over D Knee, from the Lelpas Magnus ABC.
A week later he defeated
Purge ABC’s Isaac Price in the Yorkshire final, to claim his second championship victory.
In February, Rhys faced Adam Azim in the national quarterfinals, in Coventry, where the three-time national champion proved a step too far. However, Rhys showed he was at home at a high level and the unanimous verdict was a little harsh.
February proved to be a great month and 15-year-old Daniel Stockton was crowned Yorkshire Junior champion with his stablemate, young Joe Hinchcliffe losing on a split decision in the Cadet semi-final.
Television star Ross Kemp visited the club, along with local MP Holly Lynch, and was impressed with the great work being done.
One of the many boxers from the Halifax club to turn professional, Jimmy First kept his winning streak going and was lined-up for a regional belt fight in April, only for his hopes to be dashed by the pandemic.
First would have been following in the footsteps of fellow Halifax boxer Jack Sellars who won his Area title last year.
Mick Rowe said: “We were flying and getting bigger every week then the pandemic just stopped us in our tracks.
“Our prayers go out to all the people who have lost someone and the NHS who have been so brave.”
He added: “We are doing lots of club renovations, ready for opening and coming back bigger and better.”