Tyneside duo are developing nicely

GAVIN AND BURKE BATTLE TO NATIONAL HONOURS

TYNE clubs Birtley and Perth Green both produced gold medallists at the England Boxing Development Championships in Birmingham.

Phillip Gavin (Birtley) and Mark Burke (Perth Green) won national titles but unfortunately a third Tyne club Bilton Hall saw their two finalists having to settle for silver.

Gavin beat Bailey Gibson (St Mary’s) in the 50kg final although Jay Brough couldn’t make it a double celebration losing to Repton’s Shialeem Somerville at 57kg.

“Gavin started slowly and was caught with counters as he led off, but near the end of the first round he caught his opponent with a looping right hand which had him in trouble and the referee gave a count,” said Birtley head coach Graeme Rutherford.

“Phillip was full of beans and he started to draw the lead and countered to good effect. Slowly he was getting his shots off and his opponent was feeling the pace.

“Again the referee was forced to hand a count out to Gibson in the third and then the St Mary’s lad received a public warning for constant holding.”

Burke, from Jarrow club Perth Green, was crowned champion in the 81-86kg weight category.

He faced Leon Nihill, representing the Army, and Burke outboxed his opponent to win a unanimous decision from the judges.

Neighbours Bilton Hall had Nicky Sanderson (15) 46kg and Ewan Mackenzie (19) 75kg in finals.

“Unfortunately both lads lost,” said coach Martyn Devlin. “Little Nick Sanderson boxed Billy Adams from the famous Dagenham Daggers club, and although Sanderson made it a close fight, Adams is going be a bit special. He is a classy southpaw with all the right moves and they earned him a points win.

“Middleweight Ewan Mackenzie clearly won the first round of his bout against Keenan Dalliomore from London but then in the next two rounds got tied up in closequarter exchanges in which the London boxer looked the busier to earn him a split decision.”

Both boxers will be on the Bilton home show this Thursday.

Top of the bill at the Neon Club will be derby contests featuring Bilton’s Robbie Colman against Horsley Hill’s Owen Turbitt at light welterweight and host boxer Rahan Choudhury against James Wash (Wallsend) at welterweight.

Tickets are £10 on the door or £13 ringside from Martyn Devlin on 07752515280.