Silverdale ABC host another successful boxing show

Click for larger image © Karl Stubbs

Silverdale boxers Nathan Russo and Scott Purcell both achieved their second victories within 12 days at Knutton Ex-Servicemens Club last night. A vociferous near full house were treated to and evening of 11 well matched bouts of which Silverdale boxers took part in nine. In the juniors Joe Jones, Tom Parkes and Nathan Russo all prevailed for the Silverdale club; seniors Karl Yates and Scott Purcell also achieved impressive victories.

Of the home boxers Russo and Purcell were particularly impressive. Russo gave away a significant height advantage to Frankie Waugh of Newdigate ABC nevertheless, Russo pushed forward throughout the bout and worked well inside negating the taller Waugh’s reach advantage. Consequently, the southpaw Russo scored well with both his jab and with his left hook to the body forcing Waugh to take two standing 8 counts during the contest. Russo was by far the more aggressive and never looked in any danger although he was only awarded the victory by a majority decision.

Scott Purcell was well matched against Worcester’s Scott Francis both firing off some ferocious shots. The first round was evenly matched as the two big men tested each other’s defences by the second however, Purcell had the measure of Francis and proceeded to throw a series combinations which forced the Worcester boxer to retreat constantly. By the middle of the second Purcell was clearly in the ascendancy and forced Waugh to take a standing 8 count. The beginning of the final round saw Waugh get his second wind but this was short lived as Purcell continued to connect with jabs over his guard.

Karl Yates also impressed against H Ahamed of Worcester and fully justified the unanimous decision in his favour. Queensbury ABC’s Nasser Rafiq also notched up another impressive victory despite a spirited performance from Michael Mangon (Silverdale).

Still celebrating his 6 round points win at the Kings Hall last Saturday, Impact Boxing’s undefeated professional Jimmy “The Whirlwind’ Doherty judged the awards for the evenings best junior and best senior boxer. Jimmy awarded and presented the junior award to Nathan Russo and the senior award to Scott Purcell.

Afterwards Doherty said: “ Deciding who to award the prizes to was easy both Nathan and Scott boxed brilliantly this evening they both thoroughly deserved their wins. It’s been a great event and the coaches at Silverdale deserve a lot of credit for a well-organised event with some well-matched bouts. I know quite a few of the lads who we saw tonight; it’s not that long since I was an amateur and I’ve sparred against quite a few of them.”

Purcell earned a hat trick of wins when he was awarded the Sam Pearson Memorial Trophy by The Midlands Ex-Boxers Association in recognition of his progress over the last twelve months. The award was presented by ex-professional Roy Sims.