What a great family double! Ethan wins same ABA title as his brother Jude
ETHAN Moore, from Hillfields, Bristol, has just been crowned Junior 80 kg ABA boxing champion in Hereford.
Sixteen-year-old Ethan boxes out Downend Boxing club and works as a waiter at Tortworth Court Hotel when he’s not boxing.
Ethan won the ABA national schoolboys title in 2019 so to come back and claim the juniors after such a long lay-off is a fantastic achievement.
The semi-finals and final were held on the same weekend in Hereford. Ethan’s semi-final opponent was Riley Hinds, from Eastwood Boxing club in Nottingham, a very tough lad who had won three jiu jitsu world titles previously before turning his hand to boxing.
It was a rugged fight but Ethan forced the ref to step in for a standing count in the first round with a solid right hand straight.
Although his opponent was tough and very game, it was clear the experience and superior boxing skills from Ethan would see him gain a wide unanimous decision and take him into the finals the following day.
Standing in the way of Ethan’s dream was Great Britin champion Joe Hodgkinson, from Newcastle’s Olympian Boxing club. The two had met the weekend before at the MTK Lonsdale Box Cup in Cumbria when Ethan won by a split decision to claim the belt that day in a close but scrappy bout.
This final was very different with Ethan more on his toes and using his southpaw jab to better effect, teeing up some powerful backhand counters. A very confident and punch-perfect display saw Ethan claim the decision and win the same title his elder brother Jude won in 2019.
Ethan said: “To be able to get back to boxing after such a long-lay off due to the pandemic is great but it has been extremely tough to get back in fighting shape after needing to shed nearly 15kg since the early summer to make the weight class I wanted to win.
“I am very lucky to have had a lot of suppport from my family and Downend Boxing Club and coaches, especially Craig and Jo Turner, and also at Hereford from the Downend coaches Bradley Smith and Tracey Hayne, who looked after my corner and did a great job.
Craig Turner, the club’s head coach, said: “Ethan’s drive and commitment to his sport is quite outstanding. He conducts himself superbly, both in and out of competition. He’s a credit to the club and our city.”
❝ Ethan’s drive and commitment to his sport is quite outstanding. He conducts himself superbly, both in and out of competition