Exeter University Amateur Boxing Club hosted their inaugural boxing show in The Lemon Grove on Wednesday (13 November) in what was a hugely successful night for the club. 550 students attended the event to lend support to Exeter’s boxers, creating an electric atmosphere throughout the entire event.
11 bouts took place on the night, featuring nine from Exeter University. Natasha Savovic was first up against a strong opponent from Cardiff University; Donna Chan. Savovic showed strength of character to overcome her game opponent who spent the majority of the bout marching forward throwing wild hooks.
Savovic scored the more well-placed straight punches, sending her opponent’s head flying back on numerous occasions. It would prove to be Savovic’s reach advantage and crisper shots that gained her the victory in a close but thrilling contest.
Next up for Exeter was Nathan Gooding, who used his superior skill-set, reach and movement to gain an advantage over his opponent. He timed his opponent perfectly, moving in and out of range with flurries of hooks and straight punches on his way to a unanimous points verdict from the judges.
Tom Tully came next for Exeter, making his debut against an opponent from Bath University. Tully boxed far beyond his experience, out-thinking and out-maneuvering his opponent to gain another unanimous decision in favour of Exeter. His Bath opponent could do little to overcome Tully’s superior reach and movement in what was one of the performances of the night.
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THE EXETER ABC UNIVERSITY BOXING SHOW [Xpression Sport] by Euabc_Xpressionsport on Mixcloud
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Archie Brixton fared less well against a taller, more experienced opponent from Tamar ABC. Brixton was the aggressor throughout, constantly applying pressure and moving forward; however his opponent’s height advantage proved to be instrumental in gaining the nod from the judges. The Tamar boxer scored counter uppercuts on the inside, and despite Brixton’s valiant effort he lost a close decision.
Chris Waterworth scored another win for Exeter, flooring his opponent in the first and continuing to take the fight to his opponent in the later rounds. He managed to pick up a one-sided points victory against his competitor; Chai Hua from Bath University.
Roman Davymuka boxed beautifully to gain another Exeter victory in the next bout. He kept his shorter opponent at bay with textbook boxing and movement, gaining another unanimous points win over his Cardiff University opponent; Dave Haddock.
Peter Dyson was next up for Exeter against a more experienced opponent from Tamar ABC. Despite being out of training for the past two weeks due to injury, Dyson still took the bout and managed to score another win for Exeter.
Ike Ogbo impressed in the penultimate bout of the night, showing off his power-punching and fearsome aggression. Ike used his superior strength and aggressive style to score a knockdown and a standing count before the end of the first round. Ogbo pushed for the stoppage in the second and was granted it when the referee jumped in and waved the bout over.
Captain Richie Goulding featured in the final bout of the night against Shannon Elding of St. Austell ABC. Goulding boxed well in the first, keeping his opponent off balance with his jab and movement. His opponent came on strong in the second, closing the gap and landing his overhand right against the tiring EUABC captain.
With not much to separate them going into the third, Elding’s superior fitness allowed him to force the fight, and his superior work on the inside meant that the judges gave him the nod in the end.
It was a hugely successful night for EUABC, with seven out of nine boxers gaining victories. All 550 in attendance enjoyed the boxing and the atmosphere, making the possibility of another show in the near future extremely likely. For a club which began life less than four years ago, the show marks a huge milestone in the club’s history and has put the club on the map.
Exeter Univesity Amateur Boxing Club
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