Hamer Boxing Club fighting fit once again

Young boxers from Rochdale’s Hamer Amateur Boxing Club showcased their talents in recent bouts, with 14-year-old Bruce McCormick and 15-year-old Hiraa Akram stepping into the ring for their first skills bouts, while 16-year-old Austin Heneghan fought in the NABGC Northwest Final.

On Friday 1 November, 14-year-old Bruce McCormick made his debut in the ring for Hamer ABC, facing Alex Fielding of Trafford Boxing Club in a controlled skills bout at Oldham Football Club. In the first round, both boxers were limited to using only their jabs.

When the bell rang to start, Bruce and his opponent circled the ring, each adopting a high guard as they anticipated each other’s strategy. Suddenly, Bruce stepped in with a double jab to his opponent’s face. Fielding attempted to respond, only to be met with another swift jab to the chin.

This continued as Bruce, growing in confidence, repeatedly stepped in with multiple jabs that found their target.

In the second round, both boxers were permitted to throw straight shots only. Hamer coach Steven Connellan advised Bruce to step in with his double jab, followed by a right hand to the chin.

As the round began, Bruce advanced, while Fielding tried to unleash one-two combinations, which the Hamer boxer skillfully controlled with defensive movements.

Bruce continued to land fast, straight-arm combinations, often stepping back out of range as Fielding approached and then stepping back in with his own punches, which connected on most occasions.

Towards the end of the round, Bruce unloaded multiple punches to the head, though Fielding managed to land a few of his own shots.

In the third and final round, both boxers were free to throw any combination. Bruce sprang off his stool and stormed towards his opponent, meeting him in the red corner as they traded combinations for a solid thirty seconds. Fielding eventually escaped the corner and pressed forward, prompting Bruce to switch to a defensive approach.

However, Bruce quickly resumed his attacks, landing stinging hooks to Fielding’s head and body until the bell signalled the end of the contest.

 

 

The next Hamer boxer to step into the ring that weekend was 15-year-old Hiraa Akram. She travelled to the Holiday Inn, Bolton, to represent the Northwest Region, facing Kaci Deeming of Wednesbury ABC, Staffordshire, in an open skills bout.

The fight began with Hiraa advancing on her front foot, delivering solid one-two combinations as she attempted to close in on her taller opponent.

Deeming, however, used her reach advantage to keep Hiraa at bay. This strategy was effective for about thirty seconds until Hiraa began finding her range, landing more powerful combinations to Deeming’s body and head.

As the round progressed, Deeming appeared to feel the effects of Hiraa’s punches and started to slow down.

Before the second round, the referee instructed Hiraa to rely on her jab only, having noticed the impact of her right-hand punches on her opponent.

As round two commenced, Hiraa initially struggled to adapt, as Deeming used her longer reach to connect with multiple punches.

Eventually, Hiraa regained her footing, stepping forward with a series of forceful jabs that continually forced Deeming’s head back and caused her nose to bleed, prompting the referee to stop the bout momentarily.

In the third round, Hiraa caught Deeming with two more solid right-hand punches, which led the referee to intervene again and wipe Deeming’s nose.

The referee instructed Hiraa not to use her right hand further, so she relied on her jab while staying out of range. However, as Deeming’s punches began landing, Hiraa stepped forward with effective jabs that once again forced her opponent to retreat.

Just before the final bell, Hiraa displayed her control over the bout by placing her right hand behind her back, landing her jab with precision.

Impressed by Hiraa’s performance, her coach Bethany Connellan decided this would be her last skills bout, believing she was ready for competitive matches.

In another event, 16-year-old Austin Heneghan competed in the NABGC Northwest Final at Audley Sports Centre on Sunday 27 October, facing Jack Doran of Blackrod ABC. Austin demonstrated his remarkable hand speed, taking control of the first round.

He maintained his momentum in the second round, forcing the referee to give Doran a standing eight count. When the fight resumed, however, the referee began warning Austin for holding, despite the crowd observing that it was Doran who initiated the clinches.

Hamer coach Steven Connellan instructed Austin to step out of range and use his reach advantage, suspecting the referee might be looking to even the contest with a warning. In the third and final round, Doran charged forward with swinging punches, grabbing Austin repeatedly.

Surprisingly, this led the referee to issue Austin a public warning. Soon after, Doran clinched again, and though he managed a light punch to Austin’s body, the referee issued a standing eight count to Austin.

This contentious call appeared to influence the judges, who awarded the match to Doran by unanimous decision.