Sports Spotlight . . . from PEMBROKESHIRE SPORT

Great show for Pembroke Amateur Boxing Club

Pembroke Amateur Boxing Club again came up trumps as they produced a smashing annual show at the Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, which had a vociferous and knowledgeable crowd packing in to see ten quality bouts on offer.

They were well supported by other clubs, especially Merlins Bridge and Cardigan, whilst Hereford ABC brought two boxers on an almost 300-mile round trip and there were others from Premier, the Swansea-based club, and Carmarthen.
Every bout was sponsored, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, whilst the magnificent trophies for the best boxer of the evening and the best Pembroke boxer were supplied by Mr and Mrs Mike Morrison.
Pembroke ABC head coach, Ralph Gammer, told pembrokeshiresport.co.uk that he was very grateful for all the support, especially from the sponsors and officials like John Phillips, who refereed all ten bouts, Dilwyn Griffiths, Kim and Jenny Brown, the other officials, plus MC Bill Carne and Medical Officer Dr Richard Berry, who doubled up as timekeepers for the evening!

Bout No 1: Exhibition Bout (3 x 2 minute rounds)
Luke Evans (Merlins Bridge ABC) versus Raymond Sture (Pembroke ABC)

This exhibition bout between two very talented young boxers from local clubs showed all the skills needed to warm up the enthusiastic audience, with both boxers receiving winners’ medals since there was no involvement from the judges on this one.

Sponsor: First and Last Inn

Bout No 2: Schoolboy Bout (3 x 1.5 minutes)
Alex Florence (Hereford ABC) versus Marty Evans (Merlins Bridge ABC)

The action got under way in earnest as Alex Florence made the 280-mile round trip from Hereford to take on Merlins Bridge prospect Marty Evans in an entertaining bout where Florence’s greater experience told in the third round and referee John Phillips decided to stop the bout in Florence’s favour – but we will hear a great deal more of the talented Evans in the years to come!

Sponsor: The Three Crowns

Bout No 3: Junior Bout (3 x 2 minutes)
Billy Myers (Cardigan ABC) versus Lee Waagenes (Pembroke ABC)

Lee Waagenes got Pembroke off to a winning start as he gained the verdict over Billy Myers in a cracking bout where neither would give an inch – but Waagenes marked his 17th bout with another points’ decision.

Sponsor: The Bush Tavern

Bout No 4: Schoolboy Bout (3 x 1.5 minutes)
Luca Dragone (Carmarthen ABC) versus Alex Campbell (Merlins Bridge ABC)

Luca Dragone hails from the well-known Carmarthen sporting family and he marked his 20th bout with a win over Alex Campbell, who was taking part in only his 12th contest but gave a great account of himself nonetheless. Campbell took a standing count in round two but showed great resilience – although it was Dragone who was given the points decision by the judges.

Sponsor: Central Garage

Bout No 5: Junior Bout (3 x 2 minutes)
David Florence (Hereford ABC) versus Adam Edmundson (Pembroke ABC)

David Florence was unable to match his brother Alex’s exploits as he found Pembroke’s promising Adam Edmundson continuing his fine run of form. Edmundson lost his first five bouts but has only been beaten once in the 12 bouts since then and he added another good scalp to his belt when he stopped Florence with a solid body punch in the second round.

Sponsor: Carl Davey, Interserve

Bout No 6: Schoolboy Bout (3 x 1 minute)
Cory Millward (Premier ABC) versus Micky McDonagh (Pembroke ABC)

There was a cracking contest between two young novices in Cory Millward and Micky McDonagh before Millward, who is a strong boxer with Swansea-based club Premier and was awarded the win by the judges over Pembroke’s McDonagh, who was only appearing in his second bout and already looks a good prospect.

Sponsor: John McDonagh

Bout No 7: Senior Bout (3 x 2 minutes)
Slovak Michalek (Cardigan ABC) versus Sean Sture (Pembroke ABC)

Slovak Michaelek looks a very powerful jabber and is a useful acquisition for Cardigan ABC since he is also very fit and raring to go. He took on a redoubtable opponent in Sean Sture (Pembroke ABC) and although less experienced than his opponent just about deserved the judge’s decision on this one.

Steve & Jim Lade, Pembroke Residential Home

Bout No 8: Youth Girls Bout (3 x 2 minutes)
Katie Flynn (Merlins Bridge ABC) versus Charlene Jones (Pembroke ABC)

Pembroke teenager Charlene Jones is now quite an experienced boxer on the female circuit and needed all her excellent ring-craft and punching power to keep in front of Katie Flynn, who hails from the North of England but is in the army and currently boxing in the Merlins Bridge colours. Charlene boxed with her usual dynamism and high skill levels and was deservedly adjudged the winner on the night.

Sponsor: Wayne Jones, Murco Refinery

Bout No 9: Senior Bout (3 x 2 minutes)
Mirek Michalek (Cardigan ABC) versus Peter Harrison (Pembroke ABC)

Mirek Michalek was unable to match brother Slovak’s success as he found Peter Harrison just a little to strong for him but he battled hard until the final bell. Harrison’s right hook forced Michalek to take a count in the third round and the Pembroke boxer was clearly delighted to pick up the decision from his tenth bout.

Sponsor: Carl Davey, Interserve

Bout No 10: Youth Bout (3 x 2 minutes)
Ben Rees-Davies (Cardigan ABC) versus Nico Morrison (Pembroke ABC)

This much-anticipated bout between two of the best young prospects in south Wales fully lived up to its expectations as they treated the crowd to a superb display of boxing’s array of skills. Each boxer had 42 previous bouts and although many of the partisan crowd felt that Morrison had edged the verdict the judges decided that Rees-Davies was the winner and also received the ‘Best Boxer of the Night’ trophy. Morrison must have been disappointed but had some consolation in the fact that he was awarded the ‘Best Pembroke Boxer’ of the night for his terrific effort.

Sponsor: Michael Morrison, Ledward’s Engineering