BOXING: Kieran at the double (From Swindon Advertiser)

BOXING: Kieran at the double

8:40am Friday 27th January 2012 in Boxing

KIERAN O’Donoghue won two matches in a day as all five of Walcot’s schoolboy boxers picked up victories in their Championship bouts, writes DAVE VEYSEY.

O'Donoghue, 13, was called on to box twice as there were five boxers in his Class 2, (44kgs), section, during the regional round of the national schoolboy championships at Devizes Football Club.

In his opening contest he encountered local rival CJ Singh from Swindon’s Fitzpatrick’s Gym, and came out with a unanimous points victory.

O’Donoghue used his left jab to good effect to keep Singh at bay, whilst also landing with effective straight rights.

Four hours’ later he entered the ring once again, this time to face Salisbury's Martin Castle.

The Dorcan pupil showed no signs of fatigue as he attacked Castle with fast left jabs and straight rights to hold the advantage throughout the contest.

The ringside judges duly awarded him a second unanimous points decision.

However he still has one further opponent to overcome before he can claim a place in the Western Counties Final.

This bout will take place this week at a venue and date still to be arranged.

England schoolboy international Patrick McDonagh sailed into the next round after a comfortable points win over the plucky Ryan Cozzalino from Barton Hill ABC in Bristol.

From the opening bell of this Class 3, (60kgs), encounter, the 14-year-old scored with heavy southpaw jabs and straight lefts.

The Bristolian had no answer to the onslaught, prompting the referee to issue him with a standing count midway through the round.

Combinations of hooks, jabs and uppercuts rained down on the hapless Cozzalino throughout the remainder of the contest, but he held on to the final bell where McDonagh returned unanimous points victor.

Another who booked his place in the Western Counties Final was Lawrence Rees.

The 15 year old used his long reach to score heavily against Titus Gaunt from Frome ABC during the opening period of this Class 3 (57kgs), encounter.

A heavy straight right put Gaunt on the canvas during the second two minutes, but he bravely survived the round.

The Somerset boxer came under further pressure during the final session as Rees scored with left hooks and straight rights to record a comfortable points success.

Said Eltuyev, 13, eased through his Class 2 (42kgs) match with Harry Sanson from Harrison Green's ABC in Somerset.

Without coming out of second gear Said landed with a range of scoring shots throughout the contest to win by a unanimous points decision.

Completing the quintet of Walcot winners was 14 year old Charlie Hatfield, who faced the experienced Teaken Pryor from Wells ABC, at Class 3, (54kgs).

The St Joseph’s pupil started slowly and allowed Pryor to dominate the early exchanges, but a productive final round saw him win a close bout by a majority points decision.

Chief coach Harry Scott was delighted with his young boxers, and paid tribute to O'Donoghue’s fitness.

“All the boys boxed very well, but Kieran was outstanding,” he said.

“For a 13-year-old to win two bouts within four hours is amazing, a testament to his fitness and courage.

“I must thank my entire coaching team for their hard work in the gym, which has produced these great results today.”