Taylor stars in thrilling show
HOSTS Dyffryn ABC had mixed fortunes on an action-packed show at Llandudno Junction Labour Club last week.
It was the Colwyn Bay club’s second tournament of the season.
Dyffryn 14-year-old Lewis Gardner had a tough time catching the slippery Idris Mohammed of Wellington.
In a scrappy contest, Mohammed landed clean one-twos and held as soon as Gardner got close, not allowing the ever-willing Dyffryn boxer many chances although he still got through from time-to-time.
Gardner eventually lost on a unanimous decision.
Next up for Dyffryn was the superb Liam Taylor.
The 16-year-old took on the highly rated and experienced Connor Williams Lynch.
Taylor boxed on the back-foot, darting in with lightning fast combinations and landing hard body shots from both hands.
Each round was similar with Lynch having no reply to Taylor’s superb work.
This was Taylor’s seventh bout of what is shaping up to be a superb season for the youngster.
Harry Davies, 16, gave his all against Shotton’s Lewis Warrington.
The Deesider took Davies’s best and came back strongly, eventually overwhelming the Dyffryn combatant for a third-round stoppage.
Ryan Urquhart looked unlucky to lose to Wellington ABC’s Bilal Nadeem on a split verdict.
Billy Edwards, now at senior level, boxed Matt McManus of Egan’s and countered and frustrated his foe throughout, proving a little too sharp for the Manchester boxer is his winning effort.
The final bout of the night saw super heavyweight Giulio Gallina in great form in only his second bout against Cai Grieves of Llangefni.
Dyffryn’s Gallina kept his Anglesey opponents at bay with long jabs and straight lefts in the first, not allowing Grieves to get close.
The second was more of the same, until Grieves charged in with hard shots from both hands.
Gallina fired back, landing a big left and right hook to put the Llangefni boxer over to be counted out with the Dyffryn man winning on a second round knockout to thrill his big following.
Two Llandudno ABC boxers were also in action with 11-year-old Alex Hender gaining revenge over Leighton Turnbull of Maelor. Hender took a unanimous decision in an exciting toe-to-toe contest.
Llandudno had another winner in Connah Burns, who boxed very well, landing long punches from both hands and not allowing opponent Jonty Turnbull to settle in a points win.
The Dyffryn boxers will now get ready for March’s Welsh Championships with all the club’s entrants in good form.
Other results: Harvey Williams (Maes G) w pts Cameron Olive (Middleton); J K Wilson (Rhyl Youth) l pts Josh Jones (Middleton); Travis Jamez (Maelor) w pts Jay Beeson (Welshpool); Martin McDonagh (Egans) w pts Len Evans (Maelor).
Dyffryn Boxing Club are always on the lookout for new members and anyone interested in boxing for fitness or fun is welcome to call at its gym based at 9 Pendorlan Avenue, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8EA. Contact head coach Wesley Jones on 07894 470687.