Newell savours Cuba trip

Reporter: SIMON SMEDLEY
Date published: 27 February 2015


Boxing: 

ROYTON light-heavyweight prospect John Newell was determined to take the positives from a losing British Lionhearts debut in Cuba.

Newell (21) was always going to find it tough against two-time world amatuer champion Julio Cesar de la Cruz as the pair went head-to-head in Havana in Series V of the World Series Boxing tournament.

And that’s the way it turned out, with Newell losing a unanimous decision following five gruelling three-minute rounds.

Newell, who normally trains with Ben Lancaster at the recently-relaunched Centurions ABC in Middleton, said: “De la Cruz was unreal to be honest. I have fought him before, but he’s clearly come on a lot because this fight was the only time in my life I’ve felt outclassed.

“He was a world champion in 2011 when I won a national schoolboy title, so that kind of puts things into perspective. To go over there and fight the world’s best was amazing really.”

The Lionhearts eventually lost the match 4-1, with super heavyweight Joe Joyce — a Commonwealth gold-medallist last year — the only victor on the night.

Newell jets off to China at the weekend to prepare for a second Lionhearts appearance against the Dragons in Sanya on Friday week.