Double delight for Oldham prospects
Reporter: SIMON SMEDLEY
Date published: 10 April 2015
BOXING: TWO highly-rated Oldham boxers head into action in the pre-quarter-finals of the senior ABAs tomorrow after securing regional titles in style.
Failsworth’s Danny Wright (18) pocketed his first senior title – and his seventh regional crown – as he became North-West Area 64kg elite champion by defeating Droylsden’s Kane Gardner at the Lighthouse venue in Eccles.
Wright, an Oldham College student who trains with Ben Lancaster, nailed a unanimous decision in the final after three impressive three-minute rounds.
Wright now gears up to meet Billy Tickle in the senior ABAs at Chesterfield’s Arc Leisure Centre.
Shaw-based Northside ABC talent Jack Rafferty (19) claimed a notable scalp on the way to clinching the North-West Area crown in the 69kg division.
He beat Collyhurst and Moston ace Ely Murphy, a previous ABA finalist and unbeaten in his last 23 fights, in the last four.
Rafferty was then all set for the final, only for his opponent to weigh in two-and-a-half-kilos over the limit, thus handing the Hopwood Hall student the title without a punch being thrown in anger.
Rafferty, who is guided by coach Joe Pennington, now faces Josh Pensee at the Arc Leisure Centre.
The prize for the winner is a trip to the Liverpool Echo Arena, which hosts the quarters, semis and finals of the senior ABAs, from April 24-26.
twitter: @Smedders1966
