Newell hits back

John Newell: place in finals

BOXING:

JOHN Newell silenced the home crowd as he booked his place in the North-West area final of the senior ABAs.

The Oldham teenager came from behind to defeat Kevin Fitzgerald 19-13 in the 75kg contest at Preston Labour Club.

Newell, targeting a full set of ABA titles after capturing the junior novice and junior (twice) divisions, was a point in arrears after the first of three three-minute rounds.

Fitzgerald, spurred on by vociferous support, hunted down his opponent at every opportunity in the opener to claim a narrow lead.

However, Newell had drawn level after two rounds, before stretching clear in the last.

Using his long jab, the 18-year-old Shannon and Ancoats member showed his class by picking off Fitzgerald at will. The crowd realised their man, who had paid for earlier exertions, was falling behind and the noise evaporated.

Newell unleashed straight right hands and followed up with left hooks to keep piling up the points in the third to run out a worthy victor.

The Hopwood Hall student faces Jack Steff, from Roach ABC, in the North-West final, on a date to be arranged.