IT was double-delight for Waltham Forest Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) after it secured two National Champions on Sunday.
The Highams Park-based club headed for the finals at the Hayes Working Men’s Club with two of its brightest teenage boxers Keith Witter and Ben Taylor.
Boxing in the Class A U-66 kilo division Witter was up against Finchley’s Oscar Kusmirek, who he had already secured a unanimous points victory over in February.
Clearly looking for revenge Kusmirek came out fired up, but the 16-year-old Forest puncher boxed well under pressure in the opening session.
Witter stepped up a gear in the second round and some good combinations left his opponent inspecting the ref’s fingers for a standing eight count.
The Forest boxer continued to implement his superior skills in the third with a string of combinations landing, to help him secure another unanimous points decision.
Next out was Taylor, who had turned 17 the day before, and he was out against Eltham’s Vinnie French-Gibbons in the Class B U-70k final.
The Eltham fighter looked strong and came out on the front foot, but the Forest fighter boxed well off his back foot, with his straight jabs and combinations proving telling.
It was a similar story in the second session and Taylor finished strongly in the third with his opponent tiring he deservedly took a unanimous verdict from the officials.
Delighted club secretary Ian Cuddy said: “To get one national winner is great, but to get two on the same day is brilliant.
“I’m so pleased with both lads and their coaches, who have all worked really hard in the gym to make this happen.”
If you’re interested in joining Waltham Forest ABC, contact E4 Health and Fitness club on 020 8523 5133 for further details.
(Picture Caption)
PLEASED AS PUNCH: (l-to-r) Chris Baker, Keith Witter, Ken Oram, Ben Taylor, Irfan Sheikh and Mick Croft
