Leo captures top Midlands crown - The Redditch Standard

Leo captures top Midlands crown

Redditch Editorial 3rd Oct, 2017 Updated: 3rd Oct, 2017   0

REDDITCH Boxing Academy’s Leo Fanthome is celebrating after being crowned an England Boxing Midlands champion.

Nineteen-year-old Fanthome travelled to Stoke with coaches Darren Long and Sarah Lee to compete in the England Boxing Midlands Finals at the weekend and he showed admirable courage and technique to claim victory.

Many boxers from all over the Midlands competed in various categories and Fanthome, who was number 19 on the bill, had a long wait before he could get started in his 60-64kg bout.

Matched fairly with Stratford boxer Will Foley, Fanthome and his team knew they were in for an interesting B Class bout (10-20 fights’ experience).




As the bell went for the first round, both lads came out looking sharp and focused with a constant exchange of varied shots and neither boxer took any time to step off from the war they were both in.

As the round wore on, some of the heavy shots began to get through on both sides, giving them no time to take their foot off the gas as the first three minutes came to an end.


Round two continued as a fast and furious war, with both fighters engaging in some pretty heavy exchanges and somehow managing to step things up even further.

By now, Fanthome was continually pushing his opponent back, only to take a big left hook on the chin which seemed to come out of nowhere. However, the Redditch boxer steadied himself and came back with a vengeance, catching Foley with a number of heavy, well-timed shots which started to break down the Warwickshire fighter.

With both boxers starting to feel the strain, the bell could not have come any sooner as they took to their corner to compose themselves ready for round three.

The final round started at a furious pace as both boxers went to war with heavy exchanges coming both ways, but eventually Fanthome’s accurate head shots started to take their toll on his tough opponent.

Fanthome started to push Foley around the ring, stepping off and delivering yet more devastating blows to the head and body.

After round three drew to an end, both boxers congratulated each other on what was a brave, courageous and amazing bout which had left the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Fanthome’s hand was raised as he took the title of Midlands champion and secured his place in the next round of the National Championships.

“We are delighted with the win. The bout was a credit to two tough lads and a fantastic accolade to all their hard work,” said Long.

“We are happy Leo is going through to the next round and can’t wait to see what else he has to offer.”

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