SECONDS OUT Birtley duo Developing into real good prospects in the ring
Steve Robinson (centre) with head coach Giuseppe Bivona (left) and coach Mark Clauzel BIRTLEY saw two of their boxers win through to the quarter-finals of the England Boxing Development Championships in Manchester at the weekend while a third club member, Natalia Johnson, goes straight into the national finals.
Swalwell’s Steve ‘High Tower’ Robinson also triumphed in the pre-quarters against the East Midlands at the Ferryhill Community Centre.
Coach Mark Clauzel said: “Steve won against Martin Lee from Spire Boxing Club on a split decision, though I thought he won all three rounds comfortably. Either way a win is a win and we’re through to the quarters in Manchester.”
Philip Gavin and Jay Brough were Birtley’s victors at Ferryhill, but Johnson has been moved straight through to the national finals on October 21 with no other entries in her weight class of 44kg.
Gavin took a unanimous points decision against D Harmon (Boston ABC) at under 50kg.
Birtley coach Graeme Rutherford said: “Harmon is strong and pushed Phillip around with his physical strength in the first but Philip had landed good straight shots though not enough of them.
“However, in the second he became more mobile and harder to pin down and as his opponent rushed in Philip scored with straight shots and then danced away so it was all on the last round.
“After a initial blistering exchange, Philip started to push his opponent back as he struggled with our lad’s accuracy and Gavin ran out a unanimous winner.”
Brough also won on every scorecard against T Treadwell (Prospects) in the under 57kg division. Rutherford added: “Jay was boxing a much taller opponent but as the round wore on he began to find his range with great right-hand left hooks and he had his opponent on the backfoot. Jay showed he has improved a lot from last season to win comfortably.”
Birtley’s only defeat came when Luca Bloomfield dropped a 3-2 decision to Charan Singh of Retford. ■■BIRTLEY’S club show on Friday will feature Rhys Deehan, their European silver medallist, along with Josh Robson, both against Scottish champions on a 16-bout bill.