Page 63 - Mercian Eagle 2016

Welterweight-Bout-Red Pte Barrett – Blue Pte Clarke C Coy
Most Courageous Boxer Pte Clarke C Coy
Middleweight-Bout-Blue Pte Hawkesford A Coy Red LCpl Drayton B Coy
Light-Heavyweight-Blue Pte Johnston C Coy lands a punch on Red Pte McGlough B Coy
determined to win. The contestants on the evening all trained relentlessly for 5 weeks. Their performance, win or lose, deserved the Regiment’s utmost respect.
consisted of nine bouts in total ranging from Lightweight to Super Heavyweight. The first four bouts were all relatively evenly matched and all went the distance. The first bout between Pte Smith (B) and Pte Atherton (A) set the scene with Pte Smith outclassing Pte Atherton. HQ Coy boxers Cpl Neale and LCpl Winstanley both won
The pre bouts witnessed some top quality fights, one in particular that stood out was the Middleweight bout between Pte Hawkesford (A Coy) and LCpl Weston (B Coy). This bout went
the full three rounds with
Pte Hawkesford winning
on a split decision. A
rematch between these
two is now on the cards
for the 10 December
16 when they both
compete at an ABC
charity event in Droitwich.
As fight night drew closer, I could see that all eighteen boxers were becoming very apprehensive. Anticipation was reaching fever pitch as the guests settled into their seats. B (Malta) Coy were eager for victory, as they had eight boxers representing them in the finals.Fight night
CO addresses the audience with winners and runners up present in the ring
their bouts. The last bout in the first half was extremely close with Pte Barrett (B) winning his Welterweight
bout. Due to his gritty performance Pte Clarke (C) was awarded ‘Most Courageous’ boxer.
After the interval it was time for the guests to take their seats once more, everyone was thinking the same as me, will the second half be as good as the first. I am pleased to say no one within the audience would be disappointed. The second half produced
a louder atmosphere with boxers and spectators bouncing off each other.
...I could see that all eighteen boxers were becoming very apprehensive.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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