Micky's Pembrokeshire
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Sion stars with Welsh title success
Members of Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club were delighted with the news recently that 12 year old club member Sion Lewis had boxed superbly to win his first Welsh title at the Seaside Club in Aberavon.
Sion boxed in the 36kgs class (that’s under six stone to you old fogies still on pounds and ounces!) and served notice of intent as he won his preliminary round bout two weeks prior to the finals.
Other boxers and their coaches certainly looked up as he then stopped previous champion Luke Howard in the semi-finals to set up his big day at Aberavon. Sion certainly had plenty of support as he took the ring against Ricky Whatley of Tylorstown ABC in the Rhondda Valley, with parents Ian and Ann Lewis joined by a host of other relatives, all cheering their Sion to victory by 5 points to three as he boxed really well behind a good straight left.
Coach Graham is delighted
No-one was more delighted than coach Graham Brockway, from Haverfordwest Boxing Club, because he knows how hard Sion had worked for his success.
“Sion travels down from Maenclochog twice a week to train and never misses a session – and he also trains hard at home with Ian in the intervening time so he is really fit. But perhaps best of all he is always ready to listen to good advice and I’m not surprised at how well he has done because no-one deserves a Welsh vest more than Sion.”
Sion currently attends Ysgol y Preseli after previously being taught at Maenclochog CP School – and he started out in the gym when he was a nipper of six, asking dad to take him because Ian had told him tales of when he used to box with Tony and Dewi at Letterston ABC. So Sion was soon training and took to it like a duck to water, starting out in the ring as soon as he was legally able and working well with Graham and assistant trainer Mark Jenkins.
Good record – and he looks up to Joe!
In the intervening time he has had ten bouts and won six of them, a good record for youngsters in amateur boxing since judges are sometimes put under pressure by vociferous home supporters. He started out in style with a win over Damian Jones of Pembroke ABC and has really come of age in terms of recent performances, growing in confidence and knowing just what he needs to do.
Ask him about heroes and he immediately comes up with the name of Joe Calzaghe, and there is no doubt that Sion would love to follow in Joe’s footsteps when he is older. But in the meanwhile he will carry on just enjoying himself with his training and bouts (never ‘fights’ in amateur parlance!)
He is not only a talented young boxer but also a modest and pleasant young man – and PembrokeshireSport.co.uk wishes him every success in the future!
PHOTOS:
Top, Sion Lewis with Graham Brockway, Mark Jenkins & dad Ian
Middle, Sion gets in a right hook to Graham's chin
Bottom, Sion Lewis - new Welsh Schools' boxing champion
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