Awesome Attrell wins coveted belt

Shaun Attrell boxed superbly against a very good opponent in Felix Kelly, of Tunbridge Wells, to claim the coveted under-69kg belt at a show hosted by Chichester Boxing Club.

Attrell used his slick movement and quick hand speed to edge the first two rounds of a scintillating contest. He stepped up a gear in the third round and caught his opponent with a devastating body shot, sending him crashing to the canvas.

Attrell went on to win by a unanimous points decision and took the belt back to Hastings. He now awaits a challenger to try and win the belt off of him.

West Hill Boxing Club also received a £500 cheque from a sponsor because Attrell was voted best boxer of the show.

A club spokesman said: “We are all really pleased for Shaun because he has worked very hard for this and the £500 was an added bonus for us.”

Elsewhere, West Hill boxer Richard Harffey was denied the chance to progress to the Southern Counties final in the National Junior Championships by the impressive Lewis Southgate, of St Mary’s Boxing Club in Kent.

Representing Sussex in Mitcham, Surrey, Harffey gave his all in the three-round contest, but was just edged out by the classy Southgate.

West Hill claimed a victory on the same show as Toby Salmon, competing in a club bout, beat home boxer Jake Rodda, of Small Holdings ABC, by a split decision.

After a cautious opening round, Salmon improved in the second and third, and ended up the rightful winner on the judges’ scorecard.

Will Badrock, also competing in a club bout, was denied victory by a split decision against another home boxer, Louie Bailey-Tolan, of Small Holdings.

Badrock boxed well, countering and showing good movement, and his corner thought he had done enough for the win.

Last Saturday, the West Hill team split to attend two different shows on the same day. One was hosted by Colchester ABC where three West Hill boxers performed.

After Liam Holden won on points and Attrell was edged out on points in a close-fought contest, Nathan Stent claimed his fourth win out of four. Stent triumphed on a split points decision after completing the full three rounds for the first time.

The other show was hosted by Southampton ABC. Harffey was on the wrong end of a points decision in a tough bout, but the ever-improving Brandon Davis chalked up an impressive points victory against a home boxer.