Newell’s injury despair

JOHN NEWELL

BOXING: OLDHAM fighter John Newell faces a prolonged spell away from the ring as treatment continues on his injured left hand.

The 17-year-old former junior ABA champion was distraught after damaged tissue in the hand forced him to pull out of the England squad which competed in the European Championships last month.

And fear of causing lasting damage to such a promising career has led to a cautious approach to his comeback.

He suffered the injury boxing for England in an international in Dublin.

Dad Tony said: “The worst possible thing that could happen is John comes back too soon, hurts the hand again and finds himself back at square one.

“It is not something we even want to think about because it would undo all his good work.

“John was desperately disappointed to miss out on the Euros after being selected by England, but at the end of the day the hand just was not ready.

“At the moment he is training every day but there is no bag work whatsoever.

“He is frustrated because it has involved a lot of running, but there is only so much of that you can do before it becomes a bit routine.”

Newell’s next big goal is being in rude health by the the start of 2012, with the senior ABAs fixed firmly in his sights.

Tony added: “John wants to give it a real go in the senior ABAs in March next year.

“For now it is all about recovering and then building himself up again.

“At least college has started again because it will keep John’s mind occupied while during the healing process.”