Boxing: Austin wins again

11-year-old Austin Heneghan from Hamer Boxing Club stepped into the ring for the second time in just seven days, and won again.

He travelled to Redbourn Sports Club in Scunthorpe to meet local boxer Cory Goulding of Scunthorpe Boxing Club.

The cheers raised the roof when Goulding was introduced to the crowd and he acknowledged their support whilst bouncing up and down upon his toes, ready for the action ahead. 

Goulding came out intent on impressing his fans and it immediately showed in his workrate when he began landing hooks to Austin's body and head, whilst the Hamer lad was content just to use his jab to find his range.

Goulding stepped in to land more hooks but Heneghan landed a terrific right-hand punch to his chin, which momentarily stopped the Scunthorpe boxer in his tracks before Heneghan stepped forward to land more punches whilst Goulding stayed upon the ropes.

Heneghan came out for the second round to take the middle of the ring with fast jabs whilst Goulding backed off, wary of Heneghan's right-hand punch. 

The Rochdale lad continually forced Goulding onto the ropes to unload quick combinations to both the body and head and it was here that Heneghan began to take control of the bout, which showed every time both boxers clashed, when Heneghan used his speed to outmatch his opponent.

Goulding began to lower his head with each exchange of punches and Heneghan began to land crisp uppercuts to the chin.

The Rochdale lad came out for the last round to take centre ring, but Goulding stormed out to meet him and the crowd roared with delight as both boxers landed terrific punches upon each other.

Goulding's corner must have known their boxer was behind because the young terror threw hook after hook at the Hamer lad, but Heneghan matched him and finished every exchange by landing the last punch.

As the round progressed Heneghan began to land his punches at will and Goulding's head slowly began to lower once again, which allowed him to land fast uppercuts to finish off his terrific combinations to take the contest by a unanimous decision.

Hamer coach Alan Bacon said: "Goulding came out strong in the first round and it took Heneghan a while to adjust to the Yorkshire lads’ style of boxing but when he did, he took control to gain a comfortable victory.

“That's two wins in seven days for the lad which is great for both him and the club, but it was the contests we were after because we are gearing him up for the up and coming National Championships which we hope he will do well in.”

12-year-old Allana Shaw represented North West Women's boxers that same day, traveling down to Bernsfield Boxing Gym in Oxford to meet Sky Smith who managed to beat her on points to take the contest.