Weighing in for big time

Dec 31 2002 By Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

BOXING: VAUXHALL Motors ABC are planning a major assault on the National Schoolboy Championships with a record number of 11 entrants taking part.

The bumper haul supersedes the previous best of nine competitors that Vauxhall sent to the 2001 competition.

This year's squad includes Buster Excell and Gary Spark (Extra Juniors); Lee Kirwin and Tony Lloyd (Class One); Paul Butler, Martin Jones and Barry Lloyd (Class Two); Alfie Duncan, Matty Fagan and Eddie Gallagher (Class Three) and Ricky Kearney (Class Four).

The weigh-ins will be held at the Marlborough Road Gym in West Derby, Liverpool, on Sunday, January 5 with the action starting the next day at venues yet to be confirmed.

Coach Peter Phelan is confident his young guns will be able to make a considerable impact in the tournament and has praised their efforts in training over recent weeks.

He said: 'We've got a good bunch of lads and they've all been working hard at our gym on Station Road right through the Christmas period.

'It's great that we have been able to select such a large squad of talented young boxers for the event.

'The championships should provide the boys with some valuable experience and we'd like to build on our success of last year.'

One of Vauxhall's brightest hopes will be 14-year-old Ellesmere Port Catholic High School pupil and current Pioneer Young Male Sports Personality of the Year, Matty Fagan.

In last year's competition, Matty became the first boxer from the town to reach a Schoolboy final since Graham Bills in 1977.

After producing a tremendous performance in the final against defending champion and England international Johnny Saunders of Belhause Park, Essex, Matty was defeated by the narrowest of margins.

The final on March 9 at the Metrodome, Barnsley, ended 11-11 on points but Matty lost out 35-29 on a countback.

Meanwhile, Mike Kelly and Paul Butler, who is taking part again this year, both reached the semi-finals before going down on points to Spennymoor's Gary Reay (6-2) and Hartlepool Catholic's Steve Cosgrove (7-6).