10:30am Saturday 27th June 2009
WALCOT’S Amin Hassan has been selected to box for England at the GB Youth Championships this weekend in Liverpool, writes DAVE VEYSEY.
The 17-year-old reached the national final at 54kgs last month and is one of two English representatives who will encounter Scottish and Welsh opposition.
This is a remarkable achievement for a boxer who has only eight contests to his name.
“I’m delighted to have been picked for England at this stage of my career,” said Hassan.
“I know I may be inexperienced but I’ve trained hard and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Chief coach Harry Scott added: “Amin has only been in the gym a year or so after a five year break from the sport, so this is some achievement.
“He is a talented lad and everyone at Walcot wishes him well.”
Sharing the England dressing room with Amin will be Haroon Khan, younger brother of Amir. Meanwhile, Walcot teammate Ryan Martin is in action at the final club event of the season at an open air boxing show in Hitchin on Sunday.
The North Herts Amateur Boxing Club are the hosts and they provide Martin’s opponent in the form of the talented Gaurav Savoye.
Martin, the class three (66kgs) schoolboy champion, has won all five of his contests this season.
The 15-year-old was recently disappointed when after being selected for England schoolboys for the Three Nations Championship, no boxer from Scotland or Wales could be found to share a ring with him. But now he aims to finish the campaign in style.
He said: “I’m delighted to get the chance to box one more time this season.
“I was gutted not to gain another England vest earlier in the month but I will put that behind me to perform well on Sunday.
“I feel good and will aim to win my sixth bout this season.”
Chief coach Scott added: “It’s been a long season but a successful one for the club.
“Hopefully Ryan will produce the goods to round off a great season for himself and Walcot.”
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