BOXING: Injury causes heartbreak for Jorgen

10:21am Thursday 6th March 2008

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WALCOT boxer Jorgen Cetaj is putting a brave face on things after a cruel injury robbed him of an appearance in a national final today.

The 16-year-old Junior ABA middleweight champion was due to contest the final of the National Association of Children and Young Persons Championship in Sheffield, but has been forced to pull out on doctors orders.

Cetaj sustained a blow to his jaw in last week's semi-final encounter, and the injury has not healed in time to for him to compete.

Unbeaten in his last 12 contests over two years, Cetaj was a big favourite to beat the less-experienced Luke Camp-Hayward of Chadwell ABC.

Cetaj was still coming to terms with the news yesterday morning, admitting: "It is very disappointing to be told I can't compete.

"The doctor told me to rest for a couple of weeks otherwise I could have risked making the injury worse.

"I thought I was okay though. If I had really hurt my jaw I wouldn't be able to speak or eat properly, but I feel fine.

"But the doctor is there to look after you, so if he says it is best not to box then I have to listen to that."

The news came as a major body blow to the young boxer, whose stellar record of 23 wins from 27 contests had put him in a positive frame of mind ahead of the final.

He said: "My confidence was high because I have been unbeaten for two years and I have been in the ring with some tough kids. I really wanted to box, but there will be other titles to fight for. I have been lucky enough to win a few belts in the past, so that makes this one a little bit easier to take.

"We've got the junior ABAs coming up in May so it's not the end of the world."

Walcot chief coach Harry Scott was bitterly disappointed to hear the news about one of his hottest young prospects.

Scott said: "'This is very hard on Jorgen who has worked so hard at his boxing this season. We all feel very sorry for him as he is a great kid. It is also tough on the coaches who have helped him reach the high standard that he has attained.

"This season's Junior ABA Championship starts in nine weeks so hopefully he will be fit by then."