REDDITCH Boxing Academy (RBA) continued its successful season with another triumph through the hands of talented youngster Ben Earles.
Once again, employing the ethos ‘have gloves will travel’, RBA head coach Sarah Lee took her charge to the Holiday Inn, Birmingham city centre, to compete against Aston ABC bantamweight Dhiren Takhar.
Takhar, standing a few inches taller than Earles and with the greater reach, started the round in confident fashion, attempting to score with strong and straight punches.
This proved successful for the first few attacks until Earles employed good defensive skills, slipping the attack before closing the distance on his opponent and landing with hooks to head and body.
Earles produced the higher workrate and movement in circling around his opponent, while Takhar attempted to control the fight from the centre of the ring. Clearly composed, the Aston fighter did not look distressed, however Earles scored more telling shots which took their toll.
With one highly competitive round complete, both fighters began round two with telling motivation. Takhar pushed forward attacking in phases and once again Earles was up to the challenge.
Earles continued to circle around his opponent before loading up with power on every punch thrown. The Aston boxer controlled the centre of the ring, trying to keep Earles trapped in the corner.
Earles, working on his footwork, continually danced out the corners, nullifying the tactic. As the round progressed both boxers dug deep, landing heavy punches to the target area.
By the end of the round, both boxers returned to their corners confident they were ahead.
Redditch coach Lee gave Earles his final piece of advice before sending him out for the third round. Suitably inspired, Earles pounced on his opponent, switching from straight punches to hooks and continually changing tactic.
Aston’s Takhar scored with relative success, knocking Earles’ head backwards with strong back-hands. Undeterred, Earles shook off the effects and continued to land his own telling blows.
As the round drew to the end, both boxers, now exhausted, drew on their strength and conditioning work until the final bell.
The referee called both boxers to the centre of the ring awaiting the decision. As the MC announced the result, Earles’ hand was raised in victory.
As Earles enjoyed the well-earned spoils of victory, both boxers were congratulated for an outstanding bout by way of rapturous applause from the audience.
RBA’s Patrick ‘Rocky’ Rolinson fights tomorrow (Saturday) at the Sheldon Ivy Leaf Social Club. For details about the club, call 07541 133844.
