Merlins Bridge ABC put on a great night of boxing

It was Ed Woollard and Alex O’Sullivan who took the top honours on a huge evening of boxing for Merlins Bridge ABC at The Parkhouse Building in Withybush Showground last night.

Woollard, who faced off against Jordan Jones from Tylerstown ABC, delivered a superb three round display and despite being given a standing count late on, took a unanimous verdict and the ‘Best Boxer of the Night’ award.

O’Sullivan meanwhile, also took a unanimous points decision in a thunderous contest with rival Dafydd Jones of Porthcawl ABC, and was duly rewarded with the ‘Best Bout of the Night’ honour.

There were also home wins for James Griffiths, who also produced a comprehensive display to outclass Jake Coombes, and Jack Mathias who knocked Cia Jones down in the second route on route to a clear points win.

In terms of results, the night had started badly for the host club as six of the first seven bouts went against them, but a strong finish from salvaged matters in front of almost 1000 spectators – and the atmosphere made for a memorable night.

Pembrokeshire Sport’s Bill Carne was a flawless as ever on MC duties, with Mark Smith, Stan Griffiths, and Mark McCormack sharing the refereeing while Jenny Baker and John Bates were the judges. Toby Ellis, of Pure West Radio, took charge of the walk in music and got the crowd going by kicking off proceedings with the adopted boxing song of Sweet Caroline.

And profit made from the night will now be split between Merlins Bridge ABC and charity groups Prostate Cymru and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home – and club head coach Graham Brockway and his team can ultimately reflect on a successful night.

Bouts:

Ryan Dalton (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Kian Duggan (Porthcawl ABC) - sponsored by Maggs Optics.

The opening bout saw the two youngsters put on a competitive, intense bout. The pair matched each other in terms of punches thrown and a willingness to attack, but it was Duggan who landed the cleaner blows and he took a unanimous points verdict.

Jac James (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Lloyd Lewis (DJ Boxing Swansea) – sponsored by Martin Lewis of Green Thumb Lawn Treatment.

It was three close rounds as both moved with pace and landed clean blows, and this was reflected by the judges needing a split decision. In the end it was Lewis who took the verdict.

Carmen Lynch (Porthcawl ABC) v Kayleigh Morgan (DJ Boxing Swansea) – sponsored by Kevin Jones of All About You Photography.

Two away fighters boxed the only female bout of the night, and Morgan was rarely in trouble as she landed a unanimous points win.

Josh Horgan (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Jetmir Tom Lucaj (Gwent ABC Swansea) – sponsored by Martin Jones of Cwtch Haus Designs.

It was Lucaj who got on top in the first two rounds and Horgan was unable to pull it back despite a strong third round, with the Swansea fighter taking a unanimous verdict.

Josh Young (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Michael Glynn (Goodes Boxing Club Cwmbran) – sponsored by Simon Price of Mermaid’s Call Gin.

It was cruel luck for Josh Young, who threw two powerful combinations as soon as the bell rang and in the process, badly injured his shoulder. After a time out, the ringside doctor deemed him unable to continue and Glynn took the win in a bout that lasted less than 30 seconds.

Thomas Bradford (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Boe Beesley (All Saints ABC Swansea) – sponsored by Tim Haggar of Red Kite Law.

There was disappointment for Bradford as his opponent failed to show.

Ryan Thomas (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Lee Jones (Goodes Boxing Club Cwmbran) – sponsored by Ceri Morgan of Haverfordwest Auto Centre.

Jones managed to land a critical blow in the first that left Thomas, in his debut fight, bleeding from his nose. The Cwmbran fighter edged it from there to take a unanimous verdict.

Sion O’Sullivan (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Carl Morgan (Penyrheol ABC Gorseinon) – sponsored by Coffee 7.

One of the bouts of the night saw Morgan land the cleaner blows in the first, but in his first fight O’Sullivan stormed back and the pair shared two terrific rounds with both delivering strong blows right up to the final bell. The verdict could have gone either way, but it was Morgan who took it as both fighters received a standing ovation.

Ed Woollard (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Jordan Jones (Tylerstown ABC) – sponsored by Gary Lewis of County Sports.

The first two rounds went the way of Woollard, who used his greater reach to affect but Jones fought his way into it in the third, forcing a standing count against the home fighter. But Woollard regathered composure and comfortably took the verdict.

Jack Mathias (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Cia Jones (Aberystwyth ABC) – sponsored by Stormy from West Wales Crew.

It was Mathias who delivered the first knock down of the night in the second round, and Jones had no answer to his ‘over the top’ left hands as the Merlins Bridge man took a clear points verdict.

Alex O’Sullivan (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Dafydd Jones (Porthcawl ABC) – sponsored by S7 Fitness.

Two renowned young boxers put on a fight to remember as both displayed real speed and power, but O’Sullivan’s ability to strike and move quickly shone through as he edged all three rounds for a unanimous points win.

Ryan Horgan (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Kevin Boatay (Aberystwyth ABC) – sponsored by Roscoe Tree services.

Both fighters landed savaged blows in this one and it was Horgan who struck first as he floored Boatay in the first.

The Aberystwyth man fought back with interest though as Horgan tired, flooring him in the second and then delivering a brutal left hand that left the Bridge boxer unable to get off the canvass – meaning Boatay took a knockout win.

James Griffiths (Merlins Bridge ABC) v Jake Coombes (Prizefighter Boxing Club Carmarthen) – sponsored by Peter O’Shea of Snowdrop Independent Living.

It was a fitting finish to the night as Griffiths produced an assured display, regularly landing blows with Coombes unable to muster much offence until the final round. But it was Griffiths who deservedly took a unanimous decision.