World Champ Terry Flanagan shows his support at Hamer Boxing Show

Bethany Connellan with Kevin Taylor, Tony Connellan

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"It was one of the most professional and well run boxing shows I have ever officiated over." That was what the lead AIBA boxing official said when presiding over Hamer Amateur Boxing club's annual boxing show at Richmond Hall, Lomax Street Rochdale on 29 April.

Sarhan Khan, 12, was the first to step into the ring, making his debut for the famous Rochdale club when competing in a skills bout against Cameron Scanlon of Ardwick Lads ABC. Both boys showed good skills and determination throughout the contest.

The crowd showed it's appreciation to the WBO lightweight champion of the world Terry Flanagan, who attended to support the club and handed out trophies to both boys when they had their hands raised at the end in a no-decision contest.

Abdul Khan, 12, also made his first appearance for Hamer in what was a return bout with Lucas Gilligan of Stubby's ABC. Khan had lost to Gilligan in his last contest, so wanted to show that he had improved in his short time with his new club and he did just that when he constantly unloaded clean and telling punches to take the bout via split-decision.

Next to enter the ring was 13-year-old Adam Earnshaw, who was matched against Wes Holding of Leigh ABC.

Both of these talented young boxers were entered into the National Schoolboy Championships in different weight categories, so it was agreed between both clubs that they contest their skills in-order to keep them active and fight ready before the championships began.

Holding constantly moved forward in the first round while Earnshaw used quick skills and neat footwork to counter him.

The Hamer corner had seen that Holding had his left hand held low so Earnshaw was told to switch to an orthodox stance (right-handed) and as Holding stepped forward to unload an over-hand right hand. The tactic worked to perfection and Holding was constantly caught with telling right hands throughout the round as he moved into range.

In the third and final round Holding managed to slip most of Earnshaw's right hands in what became an untidy affair and in the end it was Holding who had his hand held high in what was a very tight split-decision.

Next on for Hamer was 17-year-old Bethany Connellan who was up against Kate Jackson of Wigton ABC .

Right from the first bell Connellan pressed her opponent against the ropes with some crunching punches, and to the delight of the packed local crowd Jackson fought back with the same eagerness.

Connellan continued to land right hand punches throughout all three rounds and as a consequence Jackson grew more and more tired, which gave the Hamer girl the advantage and the win by unanimous decision.

Both girls fought with grit and determination and with an eagerness for victory but when the final bell rang to end the contest, they embraced each other, knowing that they had put on a terrific performance.

Dagme Tesfaye, 15, stepped up next for Hamer and he won a hard fought contest by split-decision against Ethan Hughes of Leigh ABC.

Luke Pickup Taylor, 16, lost in another closely fought contest against the more experienced Connor Irving of Harrogate ABC.

The last Hamer boxer to step into the ring was 19-year-old Husnain Ali who was matched against Connor Smith of Sale West ABC.

Ali had beat Smith in a hard fought contest earlier in the year and now the Sale West boxer was determined to amend that result and put matters straight.

As soon as the bell rang for round one Smith came out looking to impose his stiff jab while also stepping onto his back foot to unload quick one-two punch combinations as Ali stepped into range. This continued for about a minute before the Hamer boxer found his momentum and began to land some punishing punches to both the body and head while staying up close to his opponent.

Smith came out for round two knowing that he could not keep the Hamer boxer at bay, so he elected to try and match Ali at his own game, but he soon realised that he could not keep up the same pace.

Smith's head began to drop as Ali landed crushing hooks to both the head and body, followed by vicious uppercuts which constantly jolted Smith's head back.

In the third and final round Smith continued to lean in and try and force Ali onto the back foot. It was heroic, but an impossible task for the Sale West boxer and his head constantly shot up into the air from Ali's powerful uppercuts.

Smith began to hold in order to gain some respite but Ali was relentless and just as the bell rang to end the contest he caught Smith with another cruel uppercut to win the round and the contest by unanimous decision.

Former Hamer boxers where asked to step into the ring and hand out annual awards.

The first award went to Bethany Connellan who won the Johnny Butterworth Cup for The Most Improved Prospect of the Year and there were smiles all round when five time National champion Tony Connellan handed her the large silver cup.

Husnain Ali was awarded the Johnny Butterworth shield for The Best Boxer of the Night by the former ABA champion and ex-Olympian Kevin Taylor.

The award for the Dennis Connellan memorial shield for the Best Boxer of the Year went to 17-year-old Merhan Khan who had reached the National Youth semi-finals in February and he was all smiles when three time National champion Darren Connellan handed him his shield.