MBBC celebrate Salford double
MACCLESFIELD Boys’ Boxing Club travelled down to Salford for Bridgewater ABC’s annual show with four boxers.
One bout was called off at the scales – young Declan Scanlan was due to make his debut but after weighing in lighter than his opponent the bout was off.
Having waited for his opponent to arrive, Noel Straw’s bout was also now off as his opponent weighed in light at 42kg for a bout set at 46kg so well put off the 2kg, another disappointment for the club.
So first into action for MBBC was Joe Straw, boxing Bridgewater boxer Jack Rowbotham.
Straw had instructions to work from the off as the Bridgewater boxers are all good movers and as expected Rowbotham was a nice little boxer, using the ring well to catch Straw with the odd nice shot but slapping with the hooks which the ref pulled him on more than once.
Straw was working hard and nudged the first round.
Round two and Rowbotham was slick and using the ring well once again, but Straw kept cutting the space down, his work-rate constant and throwing shot after shot.
As Rowbotham tired Straw caught more often and by the end of the round Rowbotham was blowing hard.
Round three saw Straw turn it up a gear and it wasn’t long before the ref jumped in to give Rowbotham an eight count.
Straw was straight back on him, throwing shot after shot right up to the final bell.
Much to the surprise of those watching the decision was a split in Straw’s favour instead of a unanimous win – but a win is a win.
Next to box was Sam Coates, again boxing a lad from the host club Bridgewater ABC, Jack Bailey, who tried to intimidate Coates, staring him down.
This was a mistake as Coates went into overdrive right from the start. He never allowed Bailey to settle, throwing bombs at him.
Bailey tried to stay with him but Coates’ work-rate was too intense.
They exchanged words as the ref tried to control the bout.
Round two and Coates was fuming and this was reflected from the off as Coates threw shot after shot and some with success as he pushed Bailey back with a non-stop barrage of shots.
Again the referee intervened, giving Bailey an eight count.
Round three and Bai- ley’s coaches were shouting at him to box and not get drawn into the fight he was having with Coates.
But this was to no avail as Bailey was drawn in and Coates was now on fire – he wasn’t letting his opponent off the hook and kept up the pressure right to the bell.
It was a unanimous win for Coates – what a bout, the crowd loved it, nonstop action from start to finish. Another great night’s boxing with two good wins for MBBC.