Stewart seals success and McConnell shocks national champ

George Stewart shows his delight after beating Kieran Glave from Westway ABC. PICTURES BY GLENN KILPATRICK / THE WHITBY PHOTOGRAPHER

Stewart, 23, topped the bill at a sold out Whitby Pavilion, taking on Westway ABC’s Kieran Glave in a three-round barnstormer.

Whitby ABC coach Stewart Lorains was thrilled with Stewart’s performance, insisting the main event was one of the best fights he’s seen in many years.

“They must have had the biggest standing ovation I have seen at an amateur boxing show,” said the Whitby ABC coach.

“It was one of the best fights I’ve seen, it was none-stop for all three rounds and both fighters deserve huge credit for their performances.

“The atmosphere was electric as both of them went toe-to-toe from start to finish.

“It was a cracking performance from George and we’ll hopefully make the re-match for our next show as it was a great fight.”

Before the main event, 19-year-old Jordan Milne came up against a very strong Dan Meadows from Bolton ABC.

Unfortunately for the Whitby man, he was on the receiving end of a flurry of punches from Meadows in the second round and the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Whitby’s Sheldon Hegarty, 18, had a change of opponent just hours before his contest, with Kingston ABC’s Rhys Gooch stepping in to take the fight.

Gooch proved a strong opponent and ended up taking a points decision victory after an entertaining contest.

Sixteen-year-old Shane Bannister was in action in his first fight against Jack Palmer from Legions ABC.

Palmer caught Bannister in the first round and the referee waved off the contest.

Lorains said: “Shane will go away and work hard and will learn a lot from his first fight.”

Tommy Jobling boxed Graham Lee from Houghton & District ABC.

Jobling turned in a good performance but lost on a unanimous points decision.

Christian Bradley was another Whitby ABC fighter making his debut in the boxing ring, taking on Aiden Naylor from Boldon ABC.

Bradley lost on points, but put in a good performance and stuck to his task throughout the contest.

Tyler Thorpe took on Kia Jackson of Kingston ABC.

Thorpe, 12, took a narrow victory on a split decision after an exciting contest, utilising his fast hands and foot movement.

Kane Morrison (13) recovered from a sluggish start to dominate his contest with a Troy Peddler from Sedburgh and win on points.

Morrison was named junior boxer of the night.

In the most impressive result of the evening, 12-year-old Jake McConnell beat former national champion Zak Gibbons from Sedburgh.

Gibbons started fast as he tried to impose himself on the fight, but McConnell showed great skills to take the win.

Cameron Thorpe lost out to Riley Holmes from Legions.

Thorpe started well but didn’t finish the job off, with visitors Holmes taking the win.

At the start of the evening, Joe Marshall (10), Tyler Swales (12) and Tyler Henshaw (14) were involved in skills bouts.

All three Whitby youngsters impressed the crowd and judges as they kicked the evening off.

Coach Lorains added: “I have to say thank you to everyone who came out and supported the lads, all the sponsors for their generous backing and also to my coaches John White, Neil Waterfield and Carl Harris.”