Crawford lands speedy double
QUEENSWAY ABC got their season off to a flying start thanks to their England International Junior Boxer Joseph Crawford, who picked up two titles in quick succession.
Crawford became the NABGC 60kg County Champion and then followed that up by becoming the NABGC 60kg North West Champion the following week, retaining both titles that he previously won in 2017.
Having received a bye at the quarter finals stage, Crawford was drawn against former two-time North West Champion Kai Pennington of Astley VIP in Manchester in the semi-final.
After a slow start, Crawford settled down behind a stiff jab, putting together eye catching combinations eventually running out a comfortable unanimous winner.
The County final saw Crawford pitted against Patrick Kershaw of Northside ABC in Manchester.
As the bell rang for the first round, both boxers took centre ring, exchanging combinations with Crawford finding his range early, shooting out a ram rod jab followed by a three-punch combination to the head and body and forcing Kershaw onto the back foot.
Crawford finished the round with a solid four punch volley to take the round.
He continued where he left off in the second, finishing the exchanges the stronger.
The third and final round saw Kershaw tire as Crawford found his range early, pressing forward with two phase attacks, using his feet well and once again dominating with his jab.
The unanimous win brought Queensway ABC its first title of the season
As county Champion, Crawford was then drawn against the Merseyside and Cheshire champion in the North West Final at Croxteth Sports Centre in Liverpool, never an easy place to compete.
Crawford’s opponent, Adam Smith, came from the renowned boxing club Salisbury ABC.
Crawford came out strong in the first with fast and accurate punches. A strong straight right, left hook combination from Smith reminded Crawford of the calibre of opponent he was up against.
But Crawford’s class began to tell as he caught the advancing Smith with a powerful jab and uppercuts, stopping Smith in his tracks.
Crawford upped the tempo in the second round using his feet well, gauging his distance from the advancing Smith and countering with fast counters.
Sensing he was behind, Smith came out determined in the third swinging wildly with left and right hooks trying to catch Crawford off guard, but Crawford kept his composure well standing and exchanging forcing Smith on to the back foot.
A final flurry of crisp accurate punches from Crawford finished the round.
Once again Crawford was awarded a unanimous decision giving Queensway ABC it second title of the season.
Crawford now moves on to the National Quarter finals next weekend where he faces the Tyne Tees and Wear Champion in Liverpool for a place in the semi-finals.