Home Show Nov 18

The dramatic backdrop of the Royal School of Military Engineering Gymnasium at Brompton Barracks provided the setting for St Marys ABC’s opening show of the season. The young boxers were keen to showcase their skills in front of a packed audience and they did not disappoint. Highlights on the night included a 60kg contest between home boxer Louise Orton and Simone Thompson of Lambton Street ABC, Sunderland. Haringey Box Cup champion and England rep Orton had her hands full in taking on the power punching Thompson who applied pressure from the opening bell with flurries of hooks, uppercuts and body attacks. To her immense credit, Orton stayed composed under fire and established a distance suited to her superior height and reach. Over 3 action packed 3 minute rounds that saw both boxers impress the judges it was Orton’s movement, combinations and ring generalship that prevailed as she took a hard earned unanimous decision.

In his first bout for the club Temi Phillips of St Mary’s took on J Hills of Birchington ABC in a 66kg match up. After a fairly even first minute, Philips turned up the heat on Hills with a slew of hard shots to the head and body forcing a standing eight count. Showing maturity and savvy beyond his experience, Phillips patiently stalked his opponent until another opening presented itself. Following another combination of spiteful shots the referee decided he’d seen enough and stopped the contest with 30 seconds of the first round remaining. Phillips took the applause of an excited home crowd with a maiden stoppage victory under his belt.

Fittingly, the bout of the night was arguably the final contest between St Mary’s debutant Dan Lupton and F Clifford of Double Jab ABC, Deptford. The boxers gave no quarter in a roof raising finale that saw the counter punching Clifford attempt to pick off the aggressive Lupton with single pot shots. This strategy looked to be paying dividends until the relentless forward pressure of Lupton took its toll. Showing bravery and toughness South Londoner Clifford absorbed crisp hooks to the body and fired back but this wasn’t enough to stop the march of Lupton who seemed to grow in confidence and stature as the fight progressed. The final bell sounded to end an excellent bout and Lupton won a well-deserved unanimous decision victory.

In other action:

J Howell (St Mary’s) beat E Lee (Rumbles)

L Dunn (Lambton Street) beat V Vears (St Mary’s)

M Butler (Rumbles) beat J Powell (St Mary’s)

J Reading (St Mary’s) beat B Watson (Lambton Street)

E Simmons (St Mary’s) beat L Heath (Lambton Street)

A Blackman (St Mary’s) beat F Dollery (Southampton)

J Harris (St Mary’s) beat J Blencowe (Kingfisher)

H Hutchinson (Creekside) beat M Shoyemi (St Mary’s)

C Gillham (St Mary’s) lost to L Leonard (Double Jab)

D Miller (Double Jab) beat J Antonio (St Mary’s)