Yorkshire ABA Tournament at Niagara FallsOn the 16th August the Yorkshire ABA sent a team of 7 boxers to Canada to compete against an Ontario select.
The event took place at the famous Fallsview Casino which overlooks the Niagara Falls.
The Yorkshire group led by Martin Utley [Association Coach] and myself comprised;
Joe Rodgers [Parson Cross ABA, Sheffield]
Nicola Adams [Sharkey’s ABC, Leeds]
Adnan Khan [Bateson’s ABC, Leeds]
Thomas Marcon [White Rose ABC, Wakefield]
Jordan Knowles [Sheffield Lane Top ABC]
Gary Habbin [Handsworth ABC, Sheffield]
Phil Callaghan [A1 ABC Leeds]
Because of the diverse location of the members of the team it was decided that Martin would meet the boxers from the Sheffield area and travel to Manchester airport using the club minibus. I met the Leeds continent at the Leeds City Station and we took the train.
Surprisingly everyone arrived at the airport within 10 minutes of each other.
Due to the terrorist incidents, in London, the previous week the hand luggage restrictions were severe. Martin and I had contacted everyone prior to the date of travel and told them not bring any hand luggage. Apart from the stringent security checks and full body search [some of the lads enjoyed this and went round twice] everything went smoothly.
The carrier airline was Thomas Cook Charter. I have to confess that I was not looking forward to this as my experience with charter flights has not been very happy. I was wrong.
I don’t think I have been on a more comfortable flight - soft leather seats - lots of leg room and the food and service was very good.
We left Manchester at 1640 and after a 7 hour flight landed in Toronto [a short stopover in Montreal] at 2125 [Canadian time] where were met by the Canadian National Coach, Vinny Ryan [no relation] and his wife Val [Ontario President].
An hour and a half drive to the town of St Catharines [that’s how it is spelt] where we stayed at the Howard Johnson Hotel. Every one was shattered so the boxers went off for an early night. Martin and I had to stay up a little longer and discuss the schedule for the following days.
The hotel was pretty good. The rooms large and there was lots of facilities - swimming pool - a small training room - a bar with a pool table and dartboard that also served food. Next door was a restaurant that served excellent meals. A suite had been set aside on the ground floor of the hotel with microwave, toaster, fridge along with packets of cereal, bread rolls, ham, fruit etc. It also had a large TV and the boxers used this room to hang out, play cards etc.
Thursday - After much negotiating and shaking of heads on the previous night, I got my way and organised the weigh-in after breakfast. We then went on a tour of the famous Niagara Falls. Well worth seeing and where you get soaked it you walk within 500 yards.
The evening was spent at the St Catharines Boxing Club gym. [they were the host club] where Martin put lads through a vigorous session. The boxers worked very hard - not one shirker. I have to say Martin is a good as it gets on the pads.
After training we were invited to the house of one of the club committee for a superb outdoor meal. The boxers were lucky they had every kind of fruit juice imaginable. Poor old and Martin and I had to drink Guinness.
Friday - Went to Niagara Falls again to see the bits we had not seen before. In the evening back to the hotel restaurant for a meal after which we went to the Fallsview Casino which was the venue for the tournament.
What an amazing place. Apparently the biggest hotel in Canada. Marble floors and number of vast halls in which most of the world class entertainers appear.
We were to box in the Grand Hall. Can’t imagine why they call it that - its only about 80 yards long and 30 yards wide.
The boxing was part of a triple bill - Mu Thai [I think that is how it is spelt] Kick Boxing to me, and a health and fitness contest for females which involved strutting around in skimpy bikinis. What a bore.
Saturday - Day of rest. Had to be at the venue for 4.30 to see the doctor. Got there on time only to be told that there would be a delay of one hour. the kickers and bikinis were running late.
Joe Rodgers had been appointed captain, by the rest of the team. I think he was bullied into this because we had told everyone that someone would have to sing “Land of Hope and Glory”. Of course they thought that this would be the captain’ and gave the job to Joe. This backfired when we asked the team captain to nominate a singer. Nicola and Thomas were selected to sing a duet. this, of course, was a wind up and although they denied it they had been nervous for a couple of days at the prospect.
The Tournament
1st contest - Joe was too strong, fit and busy for his opponent and won very comfortably over 3 rounds. [no scores announced] for me 20-12
2nd contest - Nicola was up against a very strong opponent but right from the first bell she took command of the bout. In all the years I have been involved with boxing I have never seen such polished performance. In every department Nicola was outstanding - an amazing demonstration of amateur boxing. No scores but on my card would have been around 30-8
3rd contest - Adnan boxed extremely well against a very awkward opponent. Once again our lad was the fitter and stronger and in this case more skillful. A close contest that I would have put at around 14-10
4th contest - Thomas was up against the best of the Canadian boxers. A good 6 inches taller with a reach to match which he used to the full advantage. Thomas did his best to get inside but it was not easy against such a skilled opponent. In the last round Thomas did manage to get on top of a tiring boxer. Had it gone another round he might have pinched it.
5th contest - Jordan boxed another very awkward southpaw. Won the first round and then seemed to lose his concentration in the second. The last two rounds were fairly even. We lost the contest I would estimate at 15-12
6th contest - The pressure was on Gary. If we lost this bout we had lost the tournament. Gary told me as he went into the ring “he did not care who his opponent was he was not going to lose”. And he was dead right. Gary battered the Canadian boxers around the ring for three rounds until the referee stopped the contest.
7th contest - Phil was brought into the tournament at a late stage on the insistence that we provide an 85Kg boxer. Phil had trained twice every day for 4 weeks to get himself fit for the trip. He was up against the Canadian champion who was very strong. Phil was a bit ring rusty and for two rounds was pretty much on the defensive. After that he seemed to find a little of his old self and gave a good account but not enough to the win the bout.
All in all a very good tournament. The Canadian officials were extremely competent and fair.
My general comments
We should keep this event going on an annual basis. We did suggest to the Canadian that May might be a good time for a return match in Yorkshire and they said that it suited them fine.
I do believe that we have in this group the makings of a serious Yorkshire Squad. The attitude of the team was tremendous. They were all proud to put on the Yorkshire vest. They all worked hard while were there - not a word of descent. There behavior in and out of the ring was a credit to their Country, their Association, their Clubs, there Coaches, to themselves and most important to Martin and me.
Martin is the ideal Association Coach. He got on very well with the boxers and in return got their respect. They all told me that they enjoyed the work in the gym and felt confident having him their corner.
As I have said [with Martin in charge, supported by other Association Coaches] we have the makings of a Yorkshire Squad that bodes well for the future.
Mick Ryan
