No stopping classy Jack

YOU’RE THE WINNER. . . Oldham’s Jack Ellender is acclaimed the northern area ABA champion at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.

Counthill pupil closing in on national title

OLDHAM’S Jack Ellender Connor defied the odds to book his place in the ABA National Extra semi-finals in Liverpool on February 28.

Ellender, a 12-year-old Year Seven pupil at Counthill School, faced Jacob Pelosi from the much-heralded Birtley Boys Club, Newcastle, a club which boasted 10 participants in the northern finals of the championships.

All but one of them won their bouts and it was Ellender who denied them a clean sweep with his victory at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.

The tough, uncompromising Geordie set out to emulate many of his club members who had stopped or knocked out their opponents.

But his approach did not faze Ellender who, as always, was as cool as a cucumber under pressure and matched his opponent punch for punch in the opening round.

And the Oldham youngster took control in the second round, combining slick, evasive movement with a magnificent display of power-punching to break down his opponent and earn a ringside nickname of "Jumping Jack Flash".

In the final round, Ellender had to contend with the absence of a corner man due to a talking offence but, true to form, the youngster stayed cool to clinch the decision.

Jack’s latest victory underlined the amazing early success of the newly-formed Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre.

The club has already produced a national champion in Robbie Connor and Jack’s regional championship success continues to underline Oldham’s strength in the sport, following the achievements of Ronnie and Mark Heffron, Thomas Stubbs and Kyle Shaugnessy.

Success comes at a price, however, and the facilities at the OBPD gym are not big enough for an expanding club. Central premises are needed urgently if the club is to go forward.