Tyne, Tees & Wear’s night of England Boxing Elite National Championship action saw only three titles decided in the ring.
However, there was no lack of excitement at Hartlepool’s JD Sports Domes on Friday night.
The final of the night came at U64 kilos, where the quick hands of James McMeekin got the better of Connor Samms, but only just.
Samms was the first to show with an aggressive start, though the combination work on the back foot from the Bishop Auckland boxer was excellent.
Round two produced even more leather with McMeekin prepared to trade and the third was a tremendous three minutes as the Northumberland Fire & Rescue boxer came forward with intent.
McMeekin (pictured) took a unanimous verdict but it was a terrific, close contest.
The last final of the evening was a close-run affair as Bilton Hall’s Mark Burke took on Ben Jarvis, from Redcar, at U81 kilos.
This cruiserweight show-closer ended in a split decision in favour of Jarvis who had the edge in terms of the cleaner work.
The lightweight final was a more straight-forward contest to score as Darlington’s Joe Tyers displayed some superb boxing in a unanimous result against Ethan Garrity.
Tyers jabbed and moved from the start against his game Dunston opponent and while he was not as slick in the final three minutes, he already had this in the bag.
Five semi-finals took place with the winners progressing to Brambles Farm Social Club on Saturday when East Middlesbrough ABC’s hosted the outstanding three finals.
Tom Summerbell booked his spot in the U69 kilo final with a unanimous win over Bilton Hall southpaw Ewan McKenzie.The contest was beset with two much holding but the Darlington boxer delivered the cleaner work.
Travis Waters won by the same method against Hartlepool Elite Boxing Academy’s Ben Henderson but, thankfully, this was a better spectacle Underdog Henderson began in determined fashion and competed hard throughout but the Sunderland southpaw was always in control.
The U75 kilo semi between Jim Tyers and Matthew Stewart was also a very watchable contest. Stewart began well and had success with his right but Tyers grew into the bout and took charge to clinch a split decision.
Sunderland ABC would miss out in the U81 kilo semis on a split as Steve Patterson lost to Dan Lennon. If you are a fan of body shots this was a bout you would lap up as both bodies were tested to the full. Patterson looked good on the back foot but the come-forward Brandon boxer took it.
Defending national champion Ben Rees came up against a very game rival in Gav Martin in his 81 kilo semi. The Birtley southpaw’s ship combinations were a feature of the first session, but credit to the Horden lad who took the fight to Ben in the second.
Rees has highly-accurate in the third but top marks to Martin for his performance.
Top marks too to the referees on duty, Paul Allen, Justin Barnes and Liam Dineen, plus all the officials for an enjoyable occasion.
Words: Roy Kelly
