Tony Richardson a major absentee as Teesside area boxers launch challenge in this season's England Boxing National Senior Elite Championships
Reigning ABA super heavyweight champion Tony Richardson is the major absentee as Teesside area boxers launch their challenge in this season’s England Boxing National Senior Elite Championships.
Rainton Meadows Arena in Houghton-le-Spring is the setting this weekend as the best boxers in the North-east take part in the Tyne, Tees and Wear Elite championships tomorrow night, looking to punch their places into the April 19 Northern pre-quarter finals.
The latter stages of the tournament - which now features boxing without headguards under AIBA international rules - will be held over three days at the Echo Arena in Liverpool from April 25-27 with the quarter-finals, semis and final.
But that rules out Skelton soldier Richardson as the acting staff sergeant in the Light Dragoons is busy working on those dates, taking part in infantry reconnaissance and leadership courses he is unable to get out of.
After five years out of the ring, Warminster-based southpaw Richardson enjoyed a fairytale run to ABA Over-91kg gold last season, surviving a knockdown and last gasp standing count to narrowly outscore 21-stone Nicholas Webb from Woking in the final.
“I’m gutted I won’t be able to try and defend the title,” the 32-year-old said. “It was a dream come true to win it last season, especially after being out so long.
“But the higher you go up in your job, the more responsibility you get, and that has got to take priority. The Combined Services Championships started last night and finish tonight down in Aldershot, and I couldn’t even get a bout in them.
“I’d been training hard at the Bronx and Phoenix gyms in Nottingham, and was supposed to have a bout in them, so I’ve won the super heavyweight Combineds on a walkover. But even if I’d won I would have had to pull out of the competition.”
Richardson is hoping to be back in elite action next year however, Army duties permitting.
“There is plenty of life in the old dog yet,” he said. “I’m not 33 until next January and I’m due to move back up North to Catterick next year, so could train closer to home.”
Richardson’s absence will not deter the Middlesbrough-area boxers who have their own Elite Championship agenda.
Wellington ABC go into battle with 2012 ABA light middleweight finalist Louis Cunningham, light welterweight Kalem Leather and light heavyweight Tom Blenkinsop.
The club’s 2012 ABA middleweight runner-up Peter Martin has been ruled out as he is recovering from a broken nose. Middlesbrough ABC pin their hopes on classy flyweight Joe Maphosa, an ABA bantamweight finalist in 2012 and flyweight semi-finalist last term.
Former TTW belt holder Adil Hassan makes his elite championship debut at featherweight for Redcar ABC.
South Bank ABC also have just the one representative in lightweight Ross Jameson, as light welter Tab Simamanie has a chest infection and there is no cruiserweight division for Michael Webster to box in.
Assistant Redcar coach Niki Wiley said: “Adil has always had potential - it’s up to him how much he uses it. He is working 12-hour shifts, but has really put the work in the last few weeks and is looking good.”
The 10 English members of the GB Boxing squad - including Sunderland ABC heavyweight Warren Baister - are in this season’s tournament, and have been seeded through to the quarter-finals.
No comments:
Post a Comment