TWO Launceston Amateur Boxing Club members were in action on Friday May 22 at the Plays Nightclub in Torquay, taking the bouts at late notice due to other opponents pulling out of the show. Many supporters from Launceston also made the trip to the packed out venue.

First up for Launceston saw Dan Banton (14) take on Zane Turner(14) from the Torbay ABC.

The two very strong youngsters met in the centre of the ring where the Torbay boy let the leather fly. The Launceston boy's defence was sound and caught all of Zane's punches on his arms and gloves and then unleashed fierce looking jabs and straight rights to the head, backing Zane up and scoring very well. Zane fought back hard, swinging wildly but couldn't find the target.

The second round was as the first but the Torbay boxer now tiring was getting caught more often with the powerful straight shots from Dan. The last round saw the Torbay boxer come out all guns blazing but Dan's defence and fitness proved too good and his straight shots too accurate and boxed his way to a clear points win.

Next on for Launceston was Josh Williams (19) who stepped up a weight group to take on a recent senior championship finalist John Vance (26) from the Yeovil ABC.

This bout proved to be a fantastic display of boxing skills from the Launceston boxer and from the opening bell he set a fast pace. Josh found the target within a few seconds using blinding handspeed and very clever footwork. Time after time, Josh's jab was rocking back the head of the Yeovil boy and then there was a quick sidestep, drop down to the body with a straight right followed by a left hook to the head. The Yeovil boy struggled with the speed of Josh and was on the defensive at the bell.

The next round saw Josh switch his attacks to the opposite side with the use of overhand rights again finding the target with relative ease with the bout being temporarily halted on occasions to have the blood cleaned from the Yeovil boxers face.

The third round saw Josh elect to box at range using brilliant footwork, making the Yeovil boxer punch thin air and be countered with both hands to head and body. The judges scorecards were very one sided in favour of the Launceston boxer and he was hailed as the most skilful boxer of the night with his unanimous points win.

Craig Charnock.