Walcot boxers target schoolboy success (From Swindon Advertiser)

Walcot boxers target schoolboy success

8:40am Saturday 21st January 2012 in Boxing

SIX Walcot boxers have entered this season’s national schoolboy championships, and five of them are in action in the first regional round at Devizes on Sunday.

Last season’s national champion, Patrick McDonagh, 14, will look for further success in the class three (60kg) category. The England schoolboy international faces Ryan Cozzolino from Barton Hill ABC in Bristol.

He said: “I’ve been training and sparring hard in the gym, including sparring with my elder brother Tommy, and I’m feeling ready.”

Two Walcot boxers who reached the semi-finals last season are also in action.

Kieran O’Donoghue, and Said Eltuyev, both 13, compete in the class two division.

Said meets Ted Phillips from Bristol’s National Smelting Club at 42kg, whilst Kieran does not yet know who he will meet in the ring.

He explained: “Including myself there are eight boxers entered in my class, so names will be drawn out of the hat.

“Then follow-up bouts will be arranged before the Western Counties final, to find a regional winner.

“It’s not ideal, but I’m ready to box anyone.”

Lawrence Rees,14, has won eight of his nine contests to date, and was awarded the Best Boxer trophy in a recent Walcot show.

The grandson of chief coach Harry Scott meets either Frome’s Titus Gaunt or Wells’ Ellis White.

The fifth competing boxer on Sunday is Charlie Hatfield, with the St Joseph’s pupil meeting Adam Arkell (Lydney ABC) in class three (54kg).

Competing the sextet is Jimmy McDonagh,13, who receives a bye in class two (38kg) and moves automatically into the Western Counties final.

Veteran Walcot coach Harry Scott is pleased with this year’s schoolboy crop, and he said: “All these lads can be champions if they put their minds to it.

“They are a talented bunch who work hard and are a pleasure to train.”

The boxing starts at 2pm on Sunday at Devizes Town Football Club.