Two more national titles

St Marys Boxing club had a busy weekend last weekend. First off, 11 year old Mason Mateer was in action on the Dagenham show. Mateer was up against a home boxer, but didn't let the home crowd bother him. In just his second contest, Mateer showed composure beyond his years to outbox his opponent and take his record to 2 wins in 2 bouts.

Meanwhile, 16 year old Jacey Birch and 17 year old Karol Itauma travelled with their coaches and supporters up to Doncaster in Yorkshire for finals weekend of the National youth championships.

Jacey Birch boxed Rebecca Unsworth from Wild Card ABC Cheshire in the Youth Cadet U/48kg final. The girls had boxed before last year with Jacey triumphant. This time though they were both having their first 3x3 minute contests. Jacey started very well controlling her distance & scoring with her jab & lead hook. Rebecca started finding the odd scoring shot in the second round, but Jacey was very comfortable with her range, distance & countering. By the third round Jacey was in complete control defending her opponents attacks, leading off & countering with great accuracy. Jacey proved to be the queen of the ring winning her second national title of the season with a convincing unanimous victory. All of her coaches were very pleased with her effort & taking on board of instructions.

17 year old St Marys boxer Karol Itauma was bidding to be one the first boxers to retain the National Youth title he won last year. Last year as one of the youngest boxers in the competition, but this year against new opposition he was a target. After the London champion withdrew in Fridays quarter final, Chatham based Itauma faced local boxer B. Nishat from Millinium BC in Rotherham. The very mature looking Nishat started fast and took the fight to Itauma. However , Karol was able to keep his man on the end of jab to shade the first round. In rounds 2 and 3, Itauma went through the gears to bloody his opponent’s nose. The game and strong Nishat kept trying, but by the end was clearly being picked off by Itauma. The judges agreed and awarded the unanimous decision to Itauma.

Karols opponent for the final was fresh having benefited from scoring a first round stoppage in his semi-final and was clearly confident as he went to the ring. A former National champion himself, R. Cotterall (Wolverhampton BC) had brought a lot of vocal supporters up from the midlands and Karol was told by his coaches to take control from the first bell. Itauma followed the game plan and despite massive cheers every time Cotterall landed single heavier punches, Ituama was often outpunching his opponent 2-3 to 1. there were some furious exchanges in rounds 1 and 2, but Chathams Ituama always came back with more scoring punches. By round 3, Cotteralls initial cocky demeanour had reduced as Karols superior fitness was telling and allowed him to pin Cotterall on the ropes and land fast combinations several times. This is where all the 5am runs and swimming in his own time made the difference, as Karol cemented his 7th National title via a unanimous decision. 
It was the St Marys teenagers 27th victory in 28 bouts and he's won every competition he has entered since taking up boxing just 4 years ago. His only defeat was in an England V Scotland match in just his 8th bout over 2 years ago. The Chatham based Itauma is a huge prospect and his dedication makes all his coaches and club proud of him. It really does look like the sky is the limit for the youngster, providing he stays dedicated and grounded. For his trouble, he was awarded a silver belt to keep, for winning the National youth ABA 81kgs title and also has an invitation to selection camp this weekend in Leeds, for the European Youth championships, which take place in Italy in April. 
All boxers in action are a credit to themselves and their coaches are very proud of them.