Healy in Three Nations final
MACCLESFIELD boxer Tommy Healy was in action recently after competing for England in the Junior and Youth Three Nations tournament.
The event took place at the Magna Centre in Rotherham, with Healy going up against Scottish champion Josh Wescott in the semi-final.
As the bell went for round one, Tommy looked confident and proceeded to get a feel for his opponent, picking with the jab to line the backhand up.
He was having huge success with it and looking more in control as the fight went on. In round two the frustration from Wescott was clear as he was trying his best, but Healy was drawing him every time and landing the cleaner counter shots, so it was another round in the bag.
Into round three and with nothing to lose, Wescott was going to try and get the stoppage as that was his only chance of victory but in coming forward more he played into Tommy’s hands and made him look more impressive as he moved well and got the straight left one after another.
As the bell rang Healy won by unanimous decision to book his place in the final.
His opponent for the final the following day was James Metcalfe who had beaten the Welsh champion on a split decision the day before.
Metcalfe was from St. Peter’s Boxing Club in Doncaster, so this was like a home show for him with loads of support and Yorkshire officials, meaning Healy knew he had it all to do. Healy was feeling a bit hesitant to say the least as the coaches in his corner for the semi-final were different to the day before as the coaches he had were now in the opposite corner.
In round one both lads looked great throwing good shots, with Healy getting the cleaner shots through, although Metcalfe looked strong.
Healy looked like he just nicked it, and in round two it was much of the same, with Healy looking to move better and throw more shots on target.
He was more relaxed, so as they went into round three it was expected by those watching that Metcalfe would come out like a bull as he looked to have lost the first two rounds.
He caught Healy with a couple of shots towards the end but Healy looked to have it in the bag, so when the decision came a lot of people were shocked as Metcalfe had taken all three rounds on a unanimous scorecard.
It was disappointing for Healy, but he should still be proud of what he managed to achieve by reaching the final.