Bethany Connellan in skills bout against Chloe Griffiths

Bethany Connellan, Hamer Amateur Boxing Club

Bethany Connellan, 16, represented Hamer Amateur Boxing Club for the very first time when she travelled to Linnyshaw Mill, Manchester Road, Worsley to meet Chloe Griffiths, of Bridgewater Salford Amateur Boxing Club, in a 'skills bout'* on Saturday 26 September.

Both boxers came out at the sound of the first bell looking to land lead hand punches only.

Griffiths was intent on dominating the contest but it was the Rochdale youngster who showed skills beyond her two months in training when she continually parried away her opponent's jabs before replying with fast and accurate punches of her own to the head of Griffiths, from her Southpaw stance.

In round two both boxers where allowed to throw the jab and the power punch 'one, two' and as they met in the centre of the ring it was Connellan who landed the controlled and telling punches that connected as her opponent attacked.

On the sound of the last ten seconds warning both met in the centre of the ring again and, to the delight of the crowd, put on a class display of courage as both landed telling punches.

In third and final round both boxers came out to a thunderous reception and they didn't disappoint the fans as they stood toe-to-toe unloading unrelenting punches upon each other.

Tactics went out of the window for these two new starters in boxing and both showed incredible bravery and guts right up until the final bell.

Coach Alan Bacon said: "Bethany showed great skills for one who has spent so little time in the gym. She got caught a couple of times and didn't know how to respond, but that learning will come in time. We are constantly working with her on defence and feel that when she gets to grips with it she will be force to be reckoned with, and let's not forget she has a lot to live up to when considering who her father and uncles are."    

* Skill bouts are a stepping stone from gym work to competitive boxing. These are not scored but show the crowd the skills of the boxers involved.