3 national champions
Date: Tue 12th December 2017
St Marys had three reach the NABCG National finals and all would need to perform well, if they were to take the titles, with the competition so tough in the finals.
On Wednesday night 17 year old Karol Itauma boxed on a dinner show in Manchester, looking for his 6th National title. Up against England international Ben Jarvis (Redcar BC, Middlesborough), Karol was conceding age and experience. Although Karol had narrowly beaten Jarvis twice before, it was clear Jarvis was fired up as he came out all guns blazing in a fast paced first round in the the Class C under 81kgs category. Itauma had to ship several hooks in close from the muscular Jarvis. After a close first round, Karol listened to his coaches advise to box at range more and use speed. That and his exceptional fitness saw him edge the last two rounds as Jarvis couldn't mantain the onslaught and brought the Chatham based Itauma his unprecedented 6th National Boxing title in just 3 years since he started Boxing competitively. It is a St Marys record and could well be a Medway & Kent record, which just shows how much of a prospect the dedicated Itauma is.
Dion Eede booked his place in the NABGC Class A U/60kg final with 4 bouts beating good opposition on his way to the final On sat 9th Dec in Bristol.
Dion was up against John Smith from Barnsley Star Boxing Club. Dion started round 1 working his opponents style out working behind his jab. It was a pretty even round with Dion scoring good straight shots, but getting caught with some counters. The second round Dion went out and got behind his jab & adjusting his feet for his opponents offence. Dion started pulling away here by maintaining his shape & defence & scoring clear shots to win the round. In the third round Dion upped his work rate & started scoring really good combinations whilst ensuring his defence was tight. Dion’s ring smartness & fitness showed in this round with his opponent showing clear frustration not being able to score. Dion closed the round with fast combinations & neat footwork to secure a unanimous win & his first national title. Dion has really turned his boxing round after a promising start to his career & seeing last season being quite a bad year with a few losses. Credit to Dion he has really upped his game working really hard to progress & this title has been his reward. Now he knows what he’s capable of it puts him in a great position ahead of the England Boxing Junior Championships in 2018. Watch this space!
After staying over night in Bristol (the 2 weekend finals were at the same venue), on Sunday 10th Dec, the third St Marys finalist Jacey Birch was looking to make it a hat-trick of titles within the week. Although the 15 year old Birch had boxed for England, the Gillingham based boxer had lost her 3 previous finals, so was hoping to break the bad run of luck. Up against a strong opponent in Paris Williams (Willinhall BC, Coventry), in the class B under 50kgs category; Jacey was told by her coaches that she would need to use her speed and footwork to prevail. Birch looked to have shaded the first round, but was getting involved at close range too often. Jacey was told by her coaches in between rounds that she needed to increase her movement and use more straight punches against the stocky Williams. Birch increased her straight punches and although both had they're moments, 15 year old Birch was awarded the points decision and her first National title after losing in the final 3 times. It just goes to show how perseverance can pay off in the end.
It's been a great start to the season for St Marys, which has seen 3 Gold medalist in the Celtic Box cup in Ireland and now 3 National champions- all since September.
It is a massive achievement for any Boxing club to have a National champion and in the past St Marys have been fortunate to have 2 champions in the same competition. However, this looks like a new club record as we have 3 National NABCG champions. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of the boxers and volunteer coaching staff and there is a real buzz in the club at the moment. Alot of the boxers are regularly travelling on the club minibus to support they're clubmates, when they are not boxing and there is a real 'team' feel. They say success breeds success, so hopefully this will continue into the new year
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