Jack set for next step on road to ABA glory

JACK RAFFERTY . . . heading to Doncaster for the next stage of his ABA title quest

SHAW-based boxer Jack Rafferty has his eye on senior elite ABA glory after storming to victory in the 69kg category area qualifiers in Salford, writes SIMON SMEDLEY.

Rafferty, who is trained by the experienced Ben Lancaster at his Middleton gym, is now through to the national pre-quarter-final stages of the elite ABAs after notching two well-deserved wins at a packed-out 147 Club in Walkden.

Rafferty (21) booked his place in the area qualification final after beating Hussain Ali in the last four - a durable and highly-fancied opponent from the Hamer ABC in Rochdale.

TOUGH

That sealed a final spot against tough opponent Jake James, who fights out of the Bridgewater club in Salford.

After an epic three rounds of boxing, Rafferty secured a split decision victory from the judges at ringside, though trainer Lancaster felt his man ought to have been a more clean-cut victor.

He said: "The judges' decisions were split, but they shouldn't have been in my view.

"Jack dominated the fight and should have got all the decisions."

Rafferty now heads to Doncaster for the national pre-quarter-final stages, on a date to be confirmed.