HORNDON heavyweight, John McDermott was back in the boxing spotlight after winning the English Heavyweight title against Matt Skelton.

Looking leaner and meaner, John won the fight at the York Hall in Bethanl Green on a majority points decision.

John edged nearly every round in a tiring ten round contest.

CHADWELL St Mary Boxer Levi Lee 14yrs 57kg won the National Schoolboy Championships for the second year running.

Lee boxed against Connor Ward from Northside A.B.C (Manchester) on Sunday 3rd March at Everton Sports Centre in Liverpool.

Youngster Levi Lee will now go on to box for England in the three nations Championships to be held sometime in April in Scotland.

Team mates twins Jay Healy 42kg and Jake Healy 40kg both lost their bouts in the semi finals of the competition held at the Charles Dickens Centre in Portsmouth.

Jake Healy lost to J Khan of Repton Boys Club on a very tight majority decision and brother Jay came out against Henry Turner of Repton Boys Club also on a majority decision.

Head Coach Scot Johnston was aware that the judges on the day were clearly not in favour of the Essex Boxers so he instructed Lee not to win on a points decision as things were clearly not in favour of the club as he believed both Jay and Jake had done enough to secure themselves a place in the finals.

Lee was not going to leave anything to chance so he went out and stopped his opponent Eddie McDonagh from Hooks A.B.C in the first round ensuring that his place was safe in the finals of the competition.

Chadwell St Mary Boxing Club chairperson Sindy Overy was awarded a High Sheriffs’ Award at the Fennes Estate in Bocking near Braintree in recognition of the valuable service to the community safety in the country.

This award also recognizes the appreciation of the people of Essex for the contribution in enhancing the life of the community.

Cindy appears to have around 103 jobs at the boxing club that also include press officer. Her work in keeping the news of the club in the headlines is much appreciated by the media.

LEE ‘Banjo’ Markham (7-1) and Harry ‘The Pocklington Rocket’ Matthews (12-6-1) both weighed in at 11st 3lbs for tomorrow night’s British Masters Middleweight clash at Grays Civic Hall, which is being aired on Eurosport from 8pm.

Goodwin Promotions, in association with Robert Waterman, stage their first show for the channel. The card also features Cambridgeshire’s Tornado Tyler Goodjohn (7-2) and Dave O’Connor (4-4) from Plymouth, who both weighed in at 9st 13lbs for their Masters ten rounder at light welter.

TV coverage starts with an intriguing eight threes clash between unbeaten Czech Stepan Horvarth (10-0) and Birmingham’s former British title challenger Max Maxwell (16-17-3).

Fresh from a shutout victory over former British cruiserweight champ Shane McPhilbin, Crayford’s Menay Edwards (9-2) takes on plucky Latvian Arturs Kulikauskis (9-15-3), who on his last visit to the UK also recorded a shutout over a former British cruiserweight champ Leon Williams (the man McPhilbin beat to gain title in January last year).

Other fights on the card include the debut of the London heavyweight AJ Carter, who takes on Preston’s Paul Morris (5-14-2).

Tickets are available from goodwinpromotions.co.uk. The action gets underway on Eurosport (SKY channel 410) from 8pm.

GRAYS middleweight Lee ‘Banjo’ Markham (8-1) picked up his first title with a 99-92 points win over Harry ‘Pocklington Rocket’ Matthews (12-7) at Grays Civic Hall reports news.boxrec.com

Markham (11st 3lbs) was topping the bill in his hometown against York’s Matthews (also 11st 3lbs), who was in his first fight back since losing on points to Chris Eubank Jr eleven months ago. The away fighter came out of the blocks quickly, throwing much more leather in the opener.

Markham can be a slow starter, and was waiting for opportunities to pin Matthews down, but the Pocklington Rocket’s movement was successful in limiting the amount of shots Markham was able to place.

The Grays fighter was patient, landing the more accurate and telling blows in the second, but was again outworked. Matthews was putting some tidy combinations together, although these were taken in the main on Markham’s gloves due to a tight ‘hands up and march through’ defence.

Matthews couldn’t breach this often, and didn’t deliver his shots with quite enough power to make Markham to think twice about his own approach, which scored with fast, single punches including a hard right hook to the body. This is Markham’s money shot, and has contributed to three stoppages from his previous three fights.

The Pocklington Rocket was Markham’s most difficult assignment to date. He continued to deliver quick combinations from the back foot which thwarted Markham’s attempts to unload with his usual barrage of power. Although Markham was yet to find a rhythm to slow Matthews down, he hurt the York fighter with a body shot just before the bell in the fifth. While taking a few trying to find his way in, the effectiveness of Markham’s eye catching right hooks to the body increased in the seventh.

Matthews was softening and tiring, and not as quick at avoiding Markham’s advances as he was earlier in the fight, but a burst of activity in the eighth put Markham briefly in the corner. The Grays fighter responded in the latter half, and the ninth saw Markham land more hooks, with Matthews coming back well at the end of the round. Both fighters stepped up the pace in the closer and traded in the middle.

Jeff Hinds scored 99-92 for Markham, which for me was a smidgeon wide, but the right man won. On workrate and shot variety, Matthews edged it early on, but for accuracy, aggression and power, Markham was always in front.

Markham hadn’t been past six rounds before. Matthews has, on four previous occasions, but this was his first fight in eleven months. The fitness levels of both certainly can’t be questioned. They came in 3lbs under the middleweight limit, and looked fit as butcher’s dogs.

Promoter Steve Goodwin provided Markham with the opportunity to box in his home town, for his first belt, in front of television cameras – something not all fighters get the chance to do. The bout was supposed to be aired live on Eurosport from 8pm, but some sort of scheduling cock-up/bump led to it being shown on Eurosport 2 at 2am. Aired it was, nonetheless.

Markham boxed well, and a logical next step for the Grays man would be to look towards a Southern Area title, currently vacant at middleweight, and last held by British champion Billy Joe Saunders.

Undercard report to follow

Read the orginal article on news.boxrec.com

TILBURY boxer Matt McCarthy has added the International masters welterweight title to his growing list of achievements.

Matt did it by winning on points against dangerous opponent Michael Vosyka at York Hall in Bethnal Green. The win was unanimous but Vosyka did cause Matt some problems, including breaking his nose (in the 4th round).

By Mark Sweeney

“I’m the real Rocky Balboa,” claims East Tilbury based fighter Robin Deakin, 27, fighting back to prove those wrong who dubbed him ‘The Worst Boxer in Britain’.

With a professional record of one win and 50 straight losses, Deakin has been under fire from national press, being proclaimed the worst boxer and Britain, even losing his British Boxing licence after the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) became concerned for his health.

But with a German permit, Deakin looks to prove many people wrong as he steps out for his 52nd fight in London, on March 1st.

Unable to walk until he was six years old, Deakin expressed how hard it has been recently, but why he continues to fight, “I love boxing. Boxing is my life, it’s all I know. Boxing has been a saviour for me and my disability.

“It’s depressing getting recognised. People come up to me and say ‘Oh, you’re the worst boxer in the country’, but I’m not going to let it knock me off my game.”

Speaking about his upcoming fight, Deakin said, “I will fight anyone, at any time, but if you’re not getting proper preparation, you’re not going to get the right results.

“I’ve had nine weeks to prepare for March 1st, and it’s going to be explosive. There’s only going to be one winner and people will see I’m not the worst boxer in Britain.

“I’m going in there to prove a point and I’m going in there to win. One-hundred percent, I’ll put my life on it.”

With a win, Deakin could start a new chapter in his boxing career, and he believes if he can keep on winning, then he can not only get his BBBC licence back, but earn a fight for the title.

With the opportunity to write one of the greatest stories in the sport, Deakin put in plain words, “I want to be in the record books. I’m Rocky Balboa. That was a film, this is the real story.”

EAST TILBURY-based boxer “Rockin’” Robin Deakin has lost his latest bout.

The boxer now has the unenviable record of 51 losses in a row.

Robin lost to the unbeaten Damian Lawniazak at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday night.

Robin made national headlines last month when it was revealed that he had not won a fight since 2006.

Robin went onto twitter to express his disappointment and also tell his legion of fans that he will continue.

Robin said: “Struggle has become my identity, I prepared for the fight.The occasion got to me. Thanks for all the loyalty.

“I will still fight. I won’t quit boxing”.

STANFORD-LE-Hope boxer, “John” Wayne Hibbert took just one round to demolish his latest opponent at the Civic Hall in Grays. ‘John’

Wayne, fighting out of Corringham, demolished the Czech Republic’s Michael Vostkoff with a first round left hook knock out.

Now he wants to take on current Southern Area champion Ricky Boylan.

Hibbert said: “I’m the mandatory challenger for his Southern Area belt and have been promised a fight in May.

“As far as I’m concerned Ricky’s stalling because he does not want to fight me.

“The bout at the weekend was just a four-round contest and to keep me sharp.

“I think that Ricky’s keen to dodge fighting me and I’m going to keep the pressure up on him so that we get in the ring in May.

“I want this fight to happen,”

STANFORD boxer “John” Wayne Hibbert is confident he can lift the vacant Southern Area light welterweight title next month.

The 29-year-old will do battle at the Civic Hall in Grays on Saturday July 19th.

Wayne takes on Joe Hughes from Wiltshire in what is anticipated to be a close contest.

He is dividing his training between his regular camp at the Gateway club in Corringham as well as other camps in Hainault and Southend.

POPULAR Horndon boxer John Wayne Hibbert announced his retirement from boxing after being knocked out in the fourth round at Wembley on Saturday.

Wayne has provided rich entertainment over the past few years as well as a sportsperson who has been only too keen to fulfil his community duties.

But the family man took the type of pounding from Martin Gethin that tells a boxer that it is time.

The post Boxing: Horndon’s Hibbert retires after being floored in the fourth appeared first on Your Thurrock.

CHADWELL St Mary Amateur Boxing Club’s Kieran Desmond, 17 years U52 kg having already this season reached the National Association Of Boys & Girls Clubs Final, has boxed his way through to the national youth championship finals. Being held over 3 days at The Magna Centre, Rotherham, Sheffield

Desmond having already won the Essex and Eastern counties finals will now be competing against the top boxers in the country who have come through there respected regions for the U52kg national youth title

Team mate Jay Healy 17 years U64kg, having come through 3 very tough bouts in 3 weeks unfortunately didn’t get the decision in a very close contest against game opponent from Team Wiseman ABC (Hampshire)

Chadwell St Mary ABC would like to congratulate both boxers on their performances in an elite competition contesting of 3 x 3 minute rounds, and wish Desmond the best of luck for the finals

Picture left to right – Steve Rogan, Kieran Desmond, Scot Johnston, Lewis Passfield

The post Boxing: Chadwell’s Kieran through to national champs appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Ryman Premier

Brightlingsea Regent 3 v 1 Aveley

AVELEY went down by three goals to one against promotion-chasing Brightlingsea Regent.

Two goals by Aaron Condon (42′ and 49) plus an own goal by Tommy Spillane (og 39′) ensured all three points.

Aveley responded with a Russell Malton own goal in the 90th minute.

But it looks like Aveley are losing sight on a play off place. They are now on fifty points, thirteen points behind the play offs.

The post Football: Aveley start to lose grip on play off place appeared first on Your Thurrock.

AN UP and coming Thurrock fighter faces his next test in Brentwood this week.

Grays middleweight Tey Lynn Jones is top of the bill on Friday at the Brentwood Centre when he faces a seven round bout against Brighton fighter Nick Jenman.

It is Tey’s birthday, so he is clearly hopng it is a happy birthday bash!

Anyone who follows Tey on his Twitter page will appreciate that he has a great attitude to his craft.

For tickets contact Tey on his Twitter pages at @TeyLynnJones

The post Boxing: Will it be a birthday bash for Tey Lynn Jones? appeared first on Your Thurrock.

FOUR wins out of four in what was a brilliant weekend of boxing for Chadwell St Mary Amateur Boxing Club.

Chadwell St Mary ABC had four boxers representing the club on two different shows over the course of the weekend with all four coming out victorious

Firstly on Friday night at the Smokey’s community boxing show in East Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary’s Jake Lee 13yrs U36kg taking part in a skills contest against James Price from Colchester ABC with Jake giving an good account of himself.

Alby Hill 13yrs U37kg come through a very entertaining contest against Waterside ABC’s Jack McLoughlin with Alby Hill winning every round and taking a well deserved unanimous points decision.

Next up was Daniel Starns 14yrs U52kg who boxed a very clever fight against Reece Leggett from Norwich City ABC with Daniel Starns keeping is opponent at range throughout the contest and taking a good points. Finally Chadwell St Mary’s Klaydon Russell-Meade 16yrs U54kg took on Waterside ABC’s Ellis Davis in what was a very close and exciting contest with both boxers displaying great skill with Klaydon Russell-Meade coming out on top, taking a split points decision win

Returning to the ring for the first time since the birth of her second child Chadwell St Mary’s Nina Hughes took on Eastbourne ABC’s home favourite Adrianne Pheby in a female open class contest fought over 4 x 2 minute rounds, Nina showed no signs of any ring rust coming through a very entertaining contest by taking a convincing points win

The post Boxing: Great weekend for Chadwell Boxers appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ST CLERE’S student, Finlay James in Year 9 has had an amazing year in boxing. He competes at his age group and weight category, which is under 44.5kg, and has had some superb successes.

He is the current Essex Champion, allowing him to compete in the Eastern Counties Championships, where he also finished as Eastern Counties Champion. He then went on to compete at the London finals where he also won, becoming the London Area Champion also reports St Clere’s school.

Finley recently competed in the England Championships in Milton Keynes where after a very tough and closely contested fight he lost to a current international boxer and finished 3rd in England. An amazing achievement!

Finley regularly trains four out of five days in the week and then also on a Sunday, as well as trudging the streets to complete around 20km a week road running to keep his cardio fitness up, in his own time.

Finley will now train with the England squad and the next stage is the Olympic pathway squad which is an 8 year programme pushing the best towards the 2024 Olympics, but a lot of hard work is to be done before this happens.

A St Clere’s spokesperson said: “We wish Finley every success in the future and a massive well done from all at St Clere’s for his achievements so far. Fingers crossed for the future and what it has to hold in boxing”.

The post Boxing: St Clere’s Finlay continue to impress appeared first on Your Thurrock.

THE RAGING Bull, Jake La Motta has passed away aged 95.

The world boxing champion was immortalised in Martin Scorcese’s film in 1980.

Back in 2009, we had the privilege of interviewing Mr La Motta.

The post When Your Thurrock met Jake La Motta appeared first on Your Thurrock.

GEORGE O’Leary from South Ockendon defended and retained his English super-middleweight title in style at the EBA boxing event, Civic Hall, Grays on Saturday 30th September.

O’Leary defended his title against Lucifer Colossus from Southend in the main event of the evening.

The bout was scheduled for six rounds. In the first round, Colossus came out and tried to put pressure on O’Leary from the start but O’Leary covered up well, composed himself and came back with some excellent well placed body shots on Colossus which sent Colossus to the canvas for the referee to give him a standing eight count.

Once Colossus recovered, O’Leary went straight back in with some great shots from all angles but Colossus was saved by the bell. In the second round O’Leary dominated from the off and with great movement and power knocked Colossus to the canvas once again, with a fake jab and then a devastating overhand right which resulted in a great KO victory for O’Leary.

O’Leary, who has already won the light heavy weight EBA titles and super middle weight title will now be hopefully dropping down another weight to challenge for the EBA British middleweight title in November.

O’Leary would like to say a big thank you to his team, his fans and supporters and also the venue. George is also very grateful for his sponsors Grayers Graphics, Sana Electrical, JM Sealants and Walton Freight Ltd.

The post Boxing: Ockendon boxer George O’Leary knocks out Colossus to retains English title appeared first on Your Thurrock.

THURROCK’S Tey Lynn-Jones worked hard for a points victory on the MTK show in Brentwood at the weekend.

It was a fairly straightforward encounter against the Lithuanian boxer Deividas Sajauka who has had 43 bouts in his time.

It would have been easy for Tey to lose his focus as a scheduled opponent had pulled out but he showed discipline, dedication and an eye for the prize.

This makes it just one defeat in nine for a boxer who has such a positive attitude to his craft and is so generous in his praise for all his help that we look forward to his future fights.

After the bout, Tey spoke to FightTalk.Net about his plans for the future.(There is a few bad words in the interview below!).

The post Boxing: Thurrock’s Tey Lynn-Jones triumphs in Brentwood appeared first on Your Thurrock.

THURROCK Boxing fans can secure the best seats in the house for the Joshua vs Takam fight live at Vue venues across the country* on Saturday 28th October 2017. Carlos Takam has been announced as Joshua’s opponent after an injury forced Kubrat Pulev to pull out.

Frenchman Takam, the next ranked IBF contender, has been on the hunt for a showdown with the British star and is ‘overjoyed’ to be in with a chance to steal his titles away.

Broadcast live in the UK and Ireland by Sky Sports Box Office the world heavyweight title showdown will see Joshua attempt to obtain his 20th straight KO win.

Joshua’s clash with Takam is part of a huge night of action in Cardiff, with an undercard that includes Dillian Whyte taking on Robert Helenius for the WBC Silver Heavyweight Title and Frank Buglioni and Callum Johnson clashing for the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight crown.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy the ultimate big screen experience, with every hook, upper-cut and jab screened in high-definition and enjoyed from stadium seating.

Tickets are on sale now and fans hoping to bag themselves a ticket can check out www.myvue.com for more details.

Full undercard:

Kal Yafai v Sho Ishida, WBA Super-Flyweight Title

Dillian Whyte v Robert Helenius, WBC Silver Heavyweight Title

Anahi Sanchez vs Katie Taylor, WBA World Lightweight Title

Frank Buglioni v Callum Johnson, The British and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Championship

Lenroy Thomas v Dave Allen, The Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship

The post Boxing: Vue Thurrock to show Anthony Joshua fight appeared first on Your Thurrock.