ELLIS EXCELS

Trowbridge shines while Sains thrills, writes Daniel Herbert

THERE were notable displays of skill and power when the London vs Essex/south East quarter-final of the NABGC Championships was held at Dagenham Roundhouse on November 17.

The skill came in the allsouthpaw Class C 49 kgs bout (a national semi-final because of no other Southern entries) between Guildford City’s Ellis Trowbridge and Harry Mullins (Churchills). Both excelled, but Trowbridge – cheered on by his father Duke Mckenzie, former three-weight world pro champion - was that little bit sharper.

The power came from

Repton’s Jimmy Sains at 69kgs in Class D. In these championships last year Sains had closely outscored Rio Gordon, but this time he blew the Harwich boxer away inside a round.

A short right dropped Gordon early on before a follow-up attack brought him a standing count. But just when it seemed the Essex boxer might survive the crisis, an explosive right hand sent him crashing down for a knockout ending.

Repton lost two very tight 3-2 split decisions against Kent Gloves 56kgs entries. Southpaw William Birchall beat Khalil Osman Ghadiri in Class C and Lewis Southgate edged switchstepped hitter Amo Singh in Class D.

Hassam Hassim, already tall for 52kgs, dropped down to 49 and enjoyed a huge height advantage over Ben Litwin (Turners BA) in their Class D national semi. But Litwin used his much more seasoned technique to win unanimously, even putting a count on the Fisher novice in round two.

Another unlikely Class D pairing saw Earlsfield lightheavy Omar Augustine, a NABGC champion last term, prove too strong for unheralded Peterborough Police’s Brian Lawless, who took two counts in the last but gamely reached the final bell.