Worcester City Amateur Boxing Club News

Worcester City ABC Light Welterweight Trent Smith stormed into the CYP Midland final by beating Jordan Letts of International ABC.

Smith got the measure of his opponent early on, with fast accurate punching. The more experienced Worcester boxer used his jab and right hand to build up an healthy lead in the first. The hands down relaxed approach apdoted by Smith towards the end of the first was quickly amended by the Worcester corner during the minutes break. After the inital pressure from Letts at the start of round two, Smith went about his task with ruthless determination. He tore into his opponent with hard straight rights and left hooks. A terrific left hook dropped Letts for an eight count. He got to his feet only to be met with a jarring right hand which prompted his corner to retire their fighter.

Another highlight for the boxing club was the performance of lightweight Jon Roberts in the CYP semi finals. He was up against England international Cori Gibbs of Hall Green ABC. Gibbs came to the ring with a outstanding record of 41 wins from 44 contests. Roberts disregarded the record and treated his talented opponent the same as the next man during an entertaining 3, 3 minute rounds. An even first round saw the counter punching Gibbs struggling to find a rythem against the greatly improved Roberts. Instead of his all action approach, the Worcester fighter slowed down proceedings with a tight defence and conservative workrate. Towards the end of the round, a jarring left hook to the body from Roberts caught Gibbs has he covered up on the ropes. From that moment on, Gibbs knew he was up against a strong and hard hitting fighter.

The Hall green boxer started to pick up the points in the second, switching from orthodox to southpaw with ease. The hand speed from Gibbs was the greatest threat to Roberts who got caught with straight shots has he pursued his opponent around the ring.

Gibbs  started to move through the gears in round three and it was easy to see why he has been so successful wearing the England vest. Roberts had moments when he out jabbed Giggs but could not match his speed and timing. Roberts lost on the judges average scorecard of 16 to 7, but not for a moment did he look out of his depth. His best performance to date, without question in his 44 bout amateur career.  

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