This Is Guernsey

FOUR Guernsey boxers who are competing in the National ABA Championships next weekend came through unscathed against the Western Counties Select on Friday night.

That was the main concern for the Amalgamated Boys Club head coach Graham Guilbert in their last dinner boxing show of the season at St Pierre Park.

The island’s four current Western Counties champions, Matt Jennings, Callum Pearson, Bradley Watson and Gage Demore, are fighting in Sheffield next Saturday.

But Jennings was never going to get hurt in the St Pierre Park show because his opponent, Greg Welling, failed to turn up, while the other three picked wins and, more importantly, were not hurt.

‘I was really concerned about that, I had a sleepless night last night,’ said Guilbert. ‘It’s worked out all right. Apart from Jennings, they’ve had a workout for next week. If they all perform like that next week I’ll be happy.’

It was the same old story for Jennings as he was left with no opponent.

If the island’s number one boxer had a thousand pounds for every time he has been let down, he would be a rich man by now.

It was also the second time that Royal Marine Welling has pulled out of facing Jennings.

The cruiserweights were supposed to meet in the Western Counties Championships in Weston-Super-Mare earlier this month.

Welling is said to have injured himself playing rugby during the week.

‘There’s nothing you can say really,’ said Jennings about the latest no show.

‘I’m disappointed as I could have done with a warm up before the ABAs. I’m just looking forward to next weekend now.

‘At least I’m fresh for that.’

Demore, Watson and Pearson all picked up wins.

Demore showed the class which has taken him so far in the Junior ABAs as he picked apart Bradley Collingbourne before the bout was stopped in the second round because the English boxer’s nose was bleeding profusely.

Watson landed a number of uncharacteristic body shots on Marcus Hodgeson, which hurt his opponent and forced a standing count.

But he switched tactics in the second and third round, opting to keep his distance and go for head shots.

He ended up winning on points.

‘I didn’t want to get caught with any silly shots,’ said Watson.

‘I didn’t want to get cut before the nationals.’

While Demore and Watson enjoyed comprehensive victories, Pearson’s win over Neil Herbert was not so straightforward.

In actual fact it had looked like the English fighter had taken the honours because he held the centre of the ring and was composed in picking off Pearson.

But the judges did not see it that way and awarded it to the Sarnian.

‘Pearson was lucky but I thought he edged it,’ said the coach.

‘He’ll have to raise his game a bit for Sheffield, but he knows that.’

Article posted on 27th April, 2009 - 2.29pm