Solid Gold

Apr 15 2003 By Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

BOXING: VAUXHALL Motors ABC had a hat-trick of gold medal winners at the inaugural Bolton Box Cup at the weekend, while Mike Kelly has been crowned West Lancs/Cheshire Junior Champion.

The event in Bolton attracted an international field, with competitors travelling from Ireland, Denmark, Norway and Cyprus.

Paul Butler defeated Tommy-Joe Jenkins of Phoenix ABC on a majority points decision after overcoming old foe Steven Cosgrove of Hartlepool Catholic 8-5 in his semi-final.

Coach Peter Phelan said: 'Paul's final was very cagey as both boxers know each other well, having met six times, but we'd been trying to get a rematch with Cosgrove for a long time.'

Martin Jones toppled Oldham's Michael Gough with a second round stoppage to grab gold.

Phelan said: 'Martin faced an opponent who was game but not very skillful. He really shone through and produced a great performance.'

Vauxhall's hat-trick of golds was completed by Buster Exell, who was a 16-4 winner over Michael Mongan of Arrow ABC, Manchester.

Lee Kirwin had to make do with silver after losing to Glenn Catlen of London's Peacock ABC while Barry Lloyd was left frustrated when organisers were unable to find a suitable match for him among over 300 competitors.

Kelly secured the 57kg class-five West Lancs/Cheshire title last week with a points win over Stephen Sweeney.

Phelan said: 'Sweeney was a tall opponent who we expected would beat us to the jab but Mike pushed him back and landed some solid right-handers.'

Kelly will now box Manchester champion B Ashdir of Ashton Albion for the North West Counties crown.

Vauxhall thought they had a second West Lancs/Cheshire champion when Danny Duffy faced Rotunda's Paul Grimes at the Gladstone Hotel on Friday - but he lost out in controversial circumstances.

Phelan said: 'Danny had piled on the pressure after stepping things up in the second round but somehow managed to lose on a majority points call. I think everyone believed we'd got the verdict and it was a real choker.'

* Vauxhall Motors ABC thanks Staff Signs of Little Sutton for sponsoring its boxers in Bolton.