Nelson’s Clifton Boxing Gym competed in Ashburton
Story by: - Photo by: Evan Barnes
Two boxers from Nelson’s Clifton Boxing Gym competed at the annual Ashburton boxing tournament held at the Celtic Rugby Club rooms on Saturday night.
Natalie Stuart won her first full, open class bout of 4 x 2 minute rounds against an open class Dunedin boxer Bridget Sefton by a points decision of 7-4. Coach Alan Dickey was rapped with her performance as this was her first really big test, stepping into the open class and doing 4 x 2 minute rounds rather than the 3 x 2minute rounds that novice boxers do. Also to top that off she competed in the Middle weight division (under 75 kg) when she normally competes as a Welterweight (under 69 kg). Dickey said that Nat stuck to the fight plan and showed right from the opening bell that she meant business winning every round in a stylish display of skill and fitness. “I was really proud of her and she really repaid her gym mate Dawn Dickey for all the hard sparing she has put into her”.
Fourteen year old Marcus Jones, Nelson’s open Lightweight (under 60 kg) cadet boxer was up next, once again stepping up to the junior division (15-16 year olds) and competed against open junior boxer Ben Lewis. Jones won 2-0 in a very low scoring bout which was indicative of the tournament scoring. Both boxers are very talented and it was a classy performance from both, showing their excellent defensive skills and great foot movement. In the end Jones proved too good for Lewis and won the bout assertively.
Clifton Boxing Gym manager Kendall Jones has been a big part of the team’s success and the club is indebted to him. Jones (senior) arranges the gym’s logistics which enables Dickey to solely focus on coaching his chargers. The team will travel to Christchurch the next three consecutive weekends with former Age Group Mako and Stoke Rugby Representative Tyler McKinnon-Stevenson having his debut bout this weekend. The team then heads to Brisbane for the Queensland Golden Gloves Championships at the end of the month, where teams from throughout Australia, England and New Caledonia will be competing.