Clubs in medals at top international event

Belinda Skinner, of West Hill Boxing Club, raises her arm in victory at the Haringey Box Cup

The Hastings-based West Hill ABC picked up a gold and two silver medals in the Haringey Box Cup at Alexandra Palace, London, while Bexhill ABC grabbed a silver.

Belinda Skinner won the female 54kg category for West Hill’s first ever gold medal in the prestigious event. Skinner boxed excellently, beating tournament favourite and previously undefeated Brighton girl Alex Frost in the semi-finals.

She then went on to dominate and outclass Nicole Goldsmith-Ryan, from Birmingham, in the final, and was crowned Box Cup champion to the rapturous cheers of the travelling supporters, her coaches and team-mates.

Her clubmate Connor Sime took silver in the difficult youth under-71kg category, giving his all in a tough bout against Joe Louis Di-Santos, of Woking.

West Hill club captain Steve Garlick completed the haul of medals with a silver in the senior 86kg category.

Bexhill ABC talent Ian Fletcher reached the final of his weight division in the class A (under-10 bouts) category. The 81 kilos fighter firstly boxed superbly to win his quarter-final against Ezeikel Baker, from Broad Street ABC in North East London, on a unanimous points decision.

Fletcher then received a walkover in the semi-finals after scheduled opponent Dennis Owusu, from Haringey ABC in North West London, pulled out, but was edged out on a majority points decision by Craig Richards, of Palmers Academy in South East London, in the final.

See tomorrow’s Hastings and Bexhill Observers for the full articles.