Ringside report by John Smurthwaite

COMPETITION secretary Alan Roy produced an 11 bout card on a rare open show at the Kingsland Cabaret Restaurant, Birkenhead, with seven Willaston ABC boxers on show.

First into action was schoolboy debutant Tommy Loughran against West Derby's Sean Brocklebank. Both had good left jabs, but Sean had a sharp right hand follow-up which always kept him in front. One of these made referee John Bowler administer a standing count in the second round.

Tommy had a good start to the third in an effort to redress the balance, at last getting his right hand on target, but Sean's great accuracy was rewarded with an unanimous points decision.

Next out was James Oliver, who was in the rubber match (one win each) against Centurians Mark Julian. James came out fast, scoring with sharp one-twos and varying his attack with a right hand downstairs. He took control from the centre of the ring and hit Mark at will.

Mark got closer in the second and had a bit more success, but his shot lacked the precision of James and were often of the cutting variety.

James lost a little momentum in the final round as Mark marched forward, but the Wirral boxer ran out a worthy victor on unanimous points.

Jamie Bateman boxed Centurians Mark Skiffington at schoolboy level. This was like their previous bout, with Jamie having won the first two encounters. He took command from the off and controlled the action behind a fast double southpaw jab.

More pressure in the second round saw Mark in disarray. The pattern was repeated in the third with Mark still on the back foot and glad to settle for going the distance. A unanimous victory for Bateman.

Junior Barry White had a stirring set-to with West Derby's Danny Rooney. Danny stormed out at the bell and it took some time for Barry to get his bearings before landing a solid right counter which forced the referee to give Danny a standing count.

At the start of the second, Rooney, who had re-grouped, set out at the same impossible tempo. Barry again rode out the storm and took over after a minute. Having drawn his opponent's sting, Barry had Danny at his mercy and an immaculate intervention by referee John Bowler saved Danny when he looked set for a beating.

Barry was awarded the Best Boxer of the Evening award for this exciting performance, but Rooney can come again once he learns to pace himself better.

The elder Oliver, Chris, boxed Winsford's Frank Collins at junior level. Collins, who took the initiative throughout, was good value for his unanimous points verdict.

Bateman senior, Ray, at bantamweight, boxed Damon Hodgkinson in a bout for the purists. Damon showed a sharp left hook, fast combinations, good movement and a sound defence. Ray closed him up, stepping inside and outside of the left hook, switching with rights to body and head.

Early in the second round, Ray trapped Damon in his own corner for at least 30 seconds, both fighters blocking and countering.

Ray's tactics continued in the third round and brought him a somewhat surprising majority points decision.

Lightweight Peter Allen boxed West Derby's Danny Angus over three two minute rounds. Peter, as always, went forward and although Danny was cool under pressure he was caught with some solid right hands.

Peter closed down the space between them in the second round, but was winding up his shots when he should have cut down the ring and speeded up his punches.

Danny kept jabbing away with his good left hand in the third and, try as he might, Peter could just not pin this will 'o' the wisp down long enough to score with his power shots.

Danny was awarded a majority points verdict and on this performance could be one to watch for the future.

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