JULY 08

23rd July  08 Derek and Amanda would like to thank British Lightweight Champion, John Murray, for visiting Hook and Jab on the 23rd July, along with his trainer Joe Gallagher and of course his Lonsdale belt.
John won the British title on 11th July at Wigan's Robin Park, where he stopped another Manchester fighter, Lee Meager, in five rounds.
With an impressive record of 25 fights unbeaten since turning pro at the tender age of 18, John now has none other than Amir Khan in his sights, in the hope of taking on the Olympic silver medallist and proving himself to be the number one lightweight in the country. "I know Amir would take the fight," John told us. "But ultimately his manager Frank Warren will have the final say."
This wasn't John's first visit to Hook and Jab though - he visited previously in January 2006, shortly after becoming the first British boxer to take the WBC youth title. He went on defend that title five times and was declared 'Young Boxer of the Year' for 2006 by the British Boxing Board.
Things got even better in 2007 when he knocked out Dean Hickman for the vacant English title. He then boxed three times on the undercards of three title fights in America - once in Tampa, Florida, when he demolished the much-fancied Johnny Walker, and twice in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Boxing is clearly in John's blood, as his younger brother Joe Murray has already won a bronze medal at the World Amateur Championships and is hoping to return with a medal from the Beijing Olympics, where he is representing Great Britain at bantamweight.


MARCH 08

March Danny Hodge, of Bridgefoot Police ABC, was beaten in the Clubs for Young People Championships in Sheffield.  Hodge faced the National Junior ABA Champion and European bronze medallist, Nelson Smith, from Pinewood Star at Ponds Forge.It was Hodge's third final in two seasons but he could not get into gear in the first two rounds, which Nelson used to his advantage.Hodge got back into the contest in the last round but had left it too late and lost 11-2.

March Bridgefoot Police ABC boxer Danny Craven suffers agony in National Finals.Danny Craven Bridgefoot Police ABC lost in the class three 52kg contest to last year's finalistJohn McDonagh of Stowe ABC at Knottingley Sports Centre. McDonagh was a clever boxer who never got involved and kept moving.Every time Craven got close, his opponent kept holding and went on to earn a 9-3 victory, ending Craven's 10-fight unbeaten record in the process.

FEBURARY 08

23rd February Bridgefoot Police boxer Danny Craven booked his place in the National Golden Gloves Final with a points win over Midlands champion Philip Newall.  Craven took a while to get his work rate going but won a comfortable 16-4 points decision.

22nd  February Bridgefoot Police ABC had three winners from seven contest at their shw at Alford Hall. A day earlier Bridge Foot had three winners in seven contests at a show at Alford Hall.
Billy Potter, who turned 11 this month, was competing in his first bout and defeated Croxteth's P McKenna in the second round.
Katie Shepard defeated heavy-hitting Natbridge boxer Lisa Gibbons on an extremely close points decision.
Former Warrington amateur boxing great George Gilbody chose Rhys Yates' points win in his junior bout against Newsbury and Farnworth's Franco Magari as the contest of the night.

16th February  Bridgefoot Police ABC boxers had misfortune at the National Schoolboys quarter finals at Everton Park.
Declan West was competing in the Class 3 36-38kg category; he was beaten against a very strong and aggressive Greenwell Sunderland ABC.  This was a very close contest with Declan 2 points behind going into the last round; West pulled out all the stops in the last round but was given a public warning for holding, this was a little harsh. Declan was unable to pull the points back.
Danny Craven was still on form with another one sided contest against M. Abadom Aycliffe ABC. Danny's foot and hand speed proved too much as Danny couldn't miss.  The contest was stopped in the second round, on the mercy rule. Basically if a boxer is 15 points clear in the first 2 rounds the contest is stopped by the judges.  Danny will now box on 23rd Feb in the semi finals.


North West Counties Golden Gloves Finals - Bolton Excel Leisure Centre   
                                                                                                                                     
 3rd February.  Bridgefoot Police ABC boxers Declan West and Danny Craven were crowned North West Counties champions in there individual weight classes.
Declan West was Bridgefoot's first boxer to compete in the class 2 under 38kg category, Declan was up against Ryan Oliver Tameside Elite ABC.  This was a one sided contest with Declan catching Ryan with some eye catching punches, switching his attack to both head and body. Declan took the first round 7 points to 0, round 2 was the same by the end of this round Declan was up 13 points to 0.  The referee stopped the fight in the last round, to save Ryan anymore punishment.  This was definitely one of Declans best performances to date.
Danny Craven was up against Dean Laughlin Whitehaven ABC, this was another one sided contest, with Craven catching Dean with all sorts of combinations. The first round ended 6 points to 0.  In round 2 Craven stepped up the pace and caught Dean with some real heavy shots, Dean was given his second standing count of the round.  The referee stopped the fight in the second round to save Dean anymore punishment.
Both lads are looking forward to their quarter final bouts after leaving a lasting impression with both spectators and officials.

JANUARY 08

Jan 25th Bridgefoot Police ABC boxer Reece Parker was in action at the Bolton Boys & Girls dinner show.  He was up against local boy Ben Allen; this was both boxers second bout.  Both boxers won their first bouts, but on this occasion Reece came out with a unanimous points win.

West Lancs & Cheshire Golden Glove Finals Dockers Club Liverpool

Jan 25th Bridgefoot Police ABC boxer Danny Craven caused huge upset in his contest against twice National Champion and Schoolboy European Bronze Medallist, Zak Smith Towerhill ABC.  Craven won this thriller of a bout in a point's decision.Jan 22nd  Bridgefoot Police ABC boxer Declan West was in action, in the 38kg class B final against Jack Kinsella Salisbury ABC.  West won this bout in a point's decision, against last year's champion.  Kinsella beat West last year so West was out for revenge.Well done boys.  Both will be boxing in the North West Counties finals on Sun 23rd Feb in Bolton.


NOVEMBER 07

Bridgefoot Police ABC stage their second show of the season at the Royal Park Hotel Stretton
In aid of St Wilfred's School.

November 29th The show was a great success with the crowd commenting on the standard of boxing.
The show was a 9 bout bonanza with Danny Craven of Bridgefoot Police winning fight of the night for the second time this season.  He gave away age, weight and experience in this bout against Joey Rotherham West Wirral ABC.  Rotherham kept Craven on his toes and caught Craven with his powerful back hand in the first round, but he could not match Cravens hand and foot speed.  An excellent account by both boxers.
Joe Telford Bridgefoot Police was up for his first bout against K. Gardner Ardwick ABC, who was also in his first contest.  This was a very good contest with both boxers working hard in a close contest, but Telford's cleaner punches won him the bout.
Declan West Bridgefoot Police lost his bout in a point's decision against J Foster Retford ABC.  This was also a good bout with both boxers trying to out think each other; both had similar styles and had the same record going into the contest.  In the end Foster took the decision.
Jordan West Bridgefoot Police was also up against another Retford lad J. Donavan, this made another excellent contest. Jordan had to pull out all the stops to win this contest on points, giving his opponent a standing count in the last round.
Last up for Bridgefoot Police was Katie Sheperd was also in her first contest, she was up against another first timer A. Vargin of Knowsley Village.  Considering this was Katie's first bout her performance was flawless, she caught Vargin with some really good punches. Vargin tried to force the fight but could not match Katie's skill; Vargin was saved from further punishment when her coach threw the towel in after a minute of the first round.

Other contests on the night
Kids Glove between R. Bolton of Sutton ABC and J. Moss of Motteram & Hattersley.
T. Berry of West Wirral lost on PTS to T. Walker of Pool of Life ABC.
J. Barrick of Newbury & Farnworth ABC Lost to S. Ashton of Shotton ABC.
L. Simpson of Runcorn ABC lost by Stoppage to M. Scholes Poole of Life ABC.


November 24th last seasons National Golden Belt champion Danny Hodge should have been boxing last seasons National Junior ABA champion Nelson Smith for this season National Golden Belt Final, but unfortunately Smith pulled out due to illness.  This meant there was no contest to be held so Hodge could not claim the title as his.

Sunday November 7th Bridgefoot Police Super Heavyweight Robert Beech won the Novice NorthWest Counties title at Wythenshawe Lifestyle centre, with a clear points decision 10 - 4 over Northsides unbeaten David Hilton.  Hilton was a very strong fighter but he could not match Beeches clearer punches, with Beech using the entire ring really well. Beech made sure he wasn't drawn into a toe to toe punch up, this was his 3rd win in 5 weeks.
Rob Beeches next contest is in the Nation Quarter finals, against the Northeast champion
.

OCTOBER 07

Bridgefoot Police ABC show - Woolton Leisure Centre

26th October 07 Bridgefoot Police ABC produced an excellent 16 fight bonanza of outstanding contests, which kept the supporters on the edge of their seats.  It was an excellent night for Bridgefoot Police ABC as far as results were concerned.  It was the first show on the Bridgefoot calendar; we had 6 contests matched up with Bridgefoot boxers and wins in all 6 contests.
Joe Telford had his debut in a Kid Glove contest against A. Yates of Phoenix Olympic ABC.  Kids Glove is a good way for a boxer to learn the craft, but without their being a winner or loser, so there is less pressure on them.
Fight of the night went to Bridgefoot Prospect Danny Craven, who stole the show with an outstanding display of boxing ability to the frustration of his opponent, L. Baccino of Croxeth ABC; Baccino came with very good credentials but could not match Danny's ring craft.
Declan West was also in good form beating a previously undefeated L. Metcalf of Longlane ABC. This was a good contest with both boxers working hard but Metcalf could not match Declans work rate.
Jordan West was up against J Ashton from Wales.  This was a close contest for the first 2 rounds, but in the 3rd round Jordan stepped it up, and hit Ashton with some heavy blows, leaving Ashton with a broken nose, Ashton showed real guts to keep going and a well deserved win for Jordan.
Reece Parker gave an outstanding performance in his first contest against a very tall J. Seabright of Mottram and Hattersley.  Reece boxed out of his skin, not showing any signs of it being his first contest.  The decision was close, making a well deserved win for Reece.
Bridgefoot Super Heavyweight Robert Evans was up against Tommy Green of Bredbury & Stockport ABC.  Green could not match Evans work rate and sheer determination to win, a good win for Evans.  Robert Evans will be weighing in for the novice championships on Sunday and is looking forward to a busy season.

Other contests of the night.

C. Cunningham beat L. Hanrahan of Macclesfield ABC over 4 rounds
M. Carson of Vauxhall Motors ABC beat S. Moran Kingscote ABC
J. Lovell of Chester ABC beat L.Campbell of Longlane ABC
F. Magari of Newbury & Farnworth ABC beat P. Jackson of Runcorn ABC
P. Bebbington beat M. Binsfield of Caernarfon ABC
J McNeil of Higherside ABC stopped C. Hughes Caernarfon ABC in round 1
A Jones of Shotton ABC beat S McPhilbin
P. Tecwyn of Caernarfon ABC stopped T. Byrne in round 3
J. Steers of North Mersey ABC beat T. Scott of Kingscote ABC
J. Hulme of Kingscote beat R. Smith of Newbury & Farnworth ABC