Young boxers do Penarth proud!
TWO Penarth boxers Joe Morgan and Keiron Harding did Penarth ABC proud in the recent British finals.
Joe Morgan boxed England's Ryan Aston, a very strong lad who came down from 80kg to make the 75kg class, whereas Joe is 73kg in the gymnasium and should get down to the 69kg class.
Joe trained very hard for the championships, but coach Neil Munn said: "There is no doubt that Joe ended up in the wrong weight class and you cannot afford to do that at British title level."
Joe boxed brilliantly but at the end of the second round Aston showed his superior strength, pushing the Penarth man back and nailing him with a right hand, putting Joe down for an eight count.
Joe got up and steamed straight back into Aston but eventually lost by just 2 points.
Neil said: "All that beat Joe was that little bit of strength and speed.
"Joe represents Wales in the Commonwealth Games in October at 69kg, then you will see him at his best. He will be a different fighter."
Keiron Harding, of Penarth ABC, fought Gavara, of England, in a tremendous fight. Both boys were British champions last year - Keiron at 80kg and Gavara at 75kg.
Coach Neil Munn impressed on Keiron the need to pressurise his classy opponent and not let him settle into his comfort zone.
The tactics paid off and Keiron went into the fourth and final round 2 points ahead.
In a ding-dong battle, both men landed good blows but to Neil's amazement the computer result was a draw, saying they had hit each other eight times, and on countback the Englishman won 19-18.
Keiron, being the man he is, took it well, and is also now looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in India in October.
Both boxers stand a good chance of bringing home a medal.
Neil said it is the first time in the history of Penarth ABC that two boys, born and bred in Penarth, have represented the club and their country in the Commonwealth Games – and the town has every reason to be proud.
Neil would like to thank Mike and Tracey Raikes, who run the Health and Beauty Shop in Penarth town centre, for all the nutritional advice and vitamins they have supplied to Joe and Keiron.
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By Phil Tibballs reproduced with the kind permission of Penarth Times click here
FLYING THE FLAG: Penarth ABC boxers Keiron Harding and Joe Morgan will represent Wales at the Youth Commonwealth Games.
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