The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Top Yard celebrating two wins in perfect weekend for school
Boxing - National Development Championships
Top Yard School of Boxing enjoyed a perfect weekend with two boxers fighting in shows and both winning thrilling bouts by split decisions.
Sahil Malak, 22, was competing in the quarter-finals of the prestigious National Development Championships in Bristol in the Cruiserweight category.
He was up against Kaiden Simmons from Falmouth ABC who was unbeaten in seven bouts.
Sahil started the bout very positively and looked to command the centre of the ring.
Kaiden was a taller opponent and used his reach well, but Sahil was able to land some good long shots of his own from the start.
It was a close first round with Kaiden just edging it with his cleaner shots.
Sahil stepped it up in the second round and grew more in confidence as the minutes ticked by.
He closed down his opponent more and did the better work up close to edge the round.
Sahil needed a big final round to ensure victory and he did so.
He promptly upped a gear and threw some solid combinations hitting to the head and body.
Sahil never let Kaiden settle to any rhythm and was able to land punches at will to win by a majority decision.
Sahil now progresses through to the semi-finals in Swindon on Saturday (October 19).
It was a similar story for 13-year-old Saif Ali, who was up against Jake Hornsby from Chadwell St Mary’s ABAC in Essex in the U54kg weight category.
This was a high-paced, highly-skilled bout with both boxers landing some good combinations and it was a very tit-for-tat encounter.
Again the contest saw Saif just losing a competitive first round.
But the Top Yard youngster picked it up in the second round and then just about came out on top to win a very close third round for a split decision success.
A rematch is on the cards at the club’s next home show on Sunday, December 8 .