BASINGSTOKE Boxing Club had its most successful weekend ever at the annual Haringey Boxcup.
A team of six boxers fought over three days against boxers from all over Europe, and came away with three gold medals.
The event opened with the quarter finals at London’s Alexandra Palace and Basingstoke had 3 boxers in action.
Middleweights Elliott Holt and Nile Henderson both gave their all but were just pipped in very close decisions by Jordan Blake (Hornchurch and Elm Park) and Emmett Brennan (Glasnevin, Ireland) respectively.
Bryce Logan (Goodridge) was the third fighter in action against Barry Harkin (Irish College and Unis) and a strong start saw Logan’s accurate punches open a cut above Harkin’s eye prompting a first round.
Day two saw Basingstoke’s four remaining boxers in action, Hannah Latonero was first to box against Portsmouth’s Shakiba Moghadam.
Latonero started strongly, landing the heavier punches and that was the course for the bout, all three judges giving the decision to the Basingstoke fighter and she went through to the finals day.
Dean Howard then boxed Andrew Knight of Sevenoaks at light heavyweight and looked to have won clearly enough, especially rounds one and three, only for the judges to give a split decision the other way.
Jacob Gabriel boxed Terry Wilkinson of Forrest Hall and won another close decision moving him forward to the finals.
Logan boxing his second bout of the tournament had it nearly all his own way and clearly outscored Shane Egan (Athlone, Ireland) for a unanimous win.
Finals day started really well as Latonero outscored Martyna Jackowska (Mayland) to earn her second gold medal after winning gold in the same competition two years previous.
Gabriel earned an excellent win over old foe Martin McDonagh (Eastern) to win his second Boxcup gold medal.
Logan had a close contest with Martin Tutu Foru of London’s Allstars club, and came away with the tightest of decisions to earn him his fourth gold medal at this tournament, plus a silver.
The Boxcup marks the end of the season for the Basingstoke boxers and although the Essex Road gym stays open all year round, the boxers will not compete again until September.
Anyone aged 10 or above is welcome at the club, whether to train to compete, or just to keep fit.
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