Welsh ams keep rolling with the punches by Martin Williams Oct 24th 2008

The rise of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), unlicensed boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) have led to calls for a new, more basic amateur boxing style. THE rise of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), unlicensed boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) have led to calls for a new, more basic amateur boxing style. Perhaps ‘basic' is the wrong word. Brutal, or thrilling, may be more fitting descriptions of how some would like contests to deliver if reinvented. Some critics want to rid fighters of headguards, while three-minute rounds would increase the action. However, purists and established trainers in North Wales, including Maesgeirchen ABC's Brian Jones, believe the sport is growing and there is no need for an Americanisation of current rules. “I don't think it's in decline, boxing is still popular among the youngsters in this area,” said the Bangor-based 62-year-old. “I do agree that we don't have the top dogs now. Many of the better lads seem to do well and disappear, then they come back a few months later and start again. “We only have nine fighters on the books but there are more who come and train on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday – in that sense we are still going strong.” Although unlicensed boxing is not illegal it can be seen as a rougher, more rugged side of the sport. Unlicensed fighters are boxers who are not licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control and often have everyday professions outside of the ring. This category of pugilism covers a wide range of fighters and contests, usually taking place in leisure centres, nightclubs and halls with gloves, referees, trainers and medics. However, some of the fights are not staged under strict conditions and would not meet the criteria set up by many organisations. Jones is aware of the threat unlicensed boxing poses, but says the noble art will never die out. “I've been coaching amateurs for more than 20 years, and I'll be coaching until I drop,” he said. “I know a few lads have gone unlicensed and there are a lot of rich people taking up white-collar boxing now as well. They can obviously afford the medical side of things and have good doctors.” Trainer Sparrow Harrison is in agreement, though his charges at Denbigh ABC have suffered numerous setbacks this year and he fears they may look to alternative contact sports. The club hit the headlines in August when every single surgery in the town refused to give Harrison's fighters a medical. “They said they will only do a medical if we paid £160,” he explained. If we did that for all our boxers, the bill would come to over £1,000. As a small club we just can't afford it. “They're pushing us towards either unlicensed boxing or just not boxing at all.” Carl Teasdale, a former amateur who now coaches Golden Star ABC in Ellesmere Port, agrees there is a move towards unlicensed fighting but refuses to go down that road. Teasdale had 75 bouts – including 48 wins and 26 knockouts – and locked horns with some of the North West's best. Among them were Andy Holligan and Paul Hodkinson, a former WBC featherweight champion. He says the sport is in need of a vital injection of enthusiasm and public support. He is also in agreement with those calling for the removal of headguards. “They're a liability,” said the 44-year-old. “When they came up with the idea of wearing headguards they should have given them to the referees and judges to wear for 24 hours to see how they like it. I sometimes speak to former boxers and you can tell they went on too long. I don't want to be disrespectful, but a lot of them think that because you're wearing a headguard you won't get damaged. “That's wrong in my opinion. Guards make the boxer's nose, eyes and mouth the focus of contact, as well as hampering your vision.” Teasdale, who runs the club five nights a week for free backed by his sprightly 73-year-old father Charlie Beswick, believes there is a need for change – but more in the attitude of young fighters. “We have lads in as young as 11, but I stopped taking over 18s because there was a lack of commitment,” he added. “That's why this amateur boxing club is stagnant, that's why the sport is in decline. “I've been enticed towards unlicensed boxing myself because the money's good, but I would never do it. I have too much respect for myself and for the lads at this club. “All I want these boys to do is what I did – become a top amateur. The way to get there? Commitment. If you want to be a champion, live in the gym and stay off the streets. “For amateur boxing to survive in North Wales, that's what has to happen.”

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