Boxing: Victory for Shahruf Ali

Wes Holding v Shahruf Ali

Shahruf Ali and Abdul Khan, from Hamer Amateur Boxing Club, had mixed fortunes when they travelled to the Civic Hall in Lowton on Saturday (3 December) - Khan losing to Thomas Smith of Leigh ABC and Ali winning against Wes Holding also of Leigh ABC.

The bout between Khan and Smith set off at a frantic pace.

Khan used quick combinations to the head, while Smith continued to press forward.

Both boxers had success but it was the 12-year-old Hamer lad who showed the better skills.

The pace continued in round two with Smith in hot pursuit of his opponent while Khan used the ring to move in and out of distance as he continued to land punches.

Smith began to tire towards the end of the round and Khan turned his opponent on the ropes to land an unanswered four punch combination just before the bell.

The hectic pace continued in the third and last round as Smith continued to press forward while Khan answered everything his opponent threw at him before he used the ring to move out of distance.

The bout was a close affair and many, including the referee, thought that Khan had done enough to win but  the decision went in favour of local lad Smith.

Before Shahruf Ali entered the ring against another local lad in Wes Holding of Leigh ABC, he was told by his head coach Steven Connellan not to be complacent and to set a strong and relentless attacking pace, because if the bout was close then he knew it would go to the local lad.

The bell rang for round one and Ali immediately set upon Holding with relentless body shots, followed by punches to the head.

The 13-year-old Hamer boxer forced his opponent into his own corner and continued to work to the body.

The punches hurt Holding as he tried to fight back but Shahruf continued with his onslaught. It was phone booth boxing at its best.

Ali wouldn't allow his opponent out of the corner as he continued the strike with his punches until the bell rang to give Holding some much-needed relief.

Round two saw Ali immediately attack again, but at first Holding showed tremendous heart by trying to match the Hamer youngster.

It was an evenly matched contest for the first minute or so until Ali found his range again with a right hook to the body and the energy Holding showed vanished and as he backed into the neutral corner. Ali continued to throw right hooks to both the body and head.

The relentless action continued in the third and last round and Ali managed to knock Holding's head guard off with a left hook.

When the bout continued, the Leigh boxer held his ground in his own corner while Ali continued with his onslaught to the body and head which led to a standing eight count for Holding.

An outstanding victory for Shahruf Ali.