Express & Star

Super six hope to deliver on the national stage

Six Dudley boxers are targeting a knockout weekend as they bid to become England Junior National champions.

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Dudley’s Priory Park BC have four chances of success with Mia Holland, Kelsey Oakley, Ellis Clifton and Teon Graham all gunning for glory at Rotherham’s Magna Centre tomorrow and Sunday.

Another two rising stars have high hopes with Kian McDermott, from Brooklands ABC, and Osama Mohamed, from Lions, also in action at the event.

McDermott takes on Moss Side Fire’s Matt Snape tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Junior Cadet Championships.

A place in Sunday’s 63kg final, for boys born in 2004, is the prize for the winner.

McDermott, a two-time Midland champion, enters the fight in excellent form having brushed aside Knowley Vale’s Jamie Johnson in last weekend’s quarter-final.

The performance was rated as the best of his career by his coach – and dad – former English middleweight champion Darren McDermott.

He said: “That was the best I have ever seen Kian fight, he was absolutely superb.

“At the moment he just looks so focused.

“I can see it in his eyes. He’s right in the mood.

“The thing with Kian is I look upon him as both a coach and a dad.

“I’m his biggest critic and probably harder on him than any of the other lads in the gym.

Responds

“But he responds to it.

“I get up at 6am every day to find him just coming back from a morning run. He’s dedicated to it.

“The quarter-final was a really classy display and I honestly think he can beat anyone at the moment.”

While there was joy for McDermott, there was disappointment for his Brooklands team-mate Kai Fellows, who went out at the quarter-final stage.

Fellows, who won a Midland title in what was just his fourth ever fight, could find no way past the more experienced John Kerrigan from Steel City ABC.

“It was a tough one for Kai, “ said McDermott.

“He just wasn’t the same fighter as in the Midlands final.

“Whether it was nerves, I don’t know.

“You have to remember this was only his sixth fight and the other lad had a lot more experience.

“As a gym, we are very proud of him and I am confident he will come back a stronger boxer. He will want to prove people wrong.”

Lions ace Mohamed will also head north in confident mood.

He booked his place in the 54kg semi-finals with a split decision victory over Luke Turner (Phoenix Fire Club Liverpool).

“Osama boxed brilliantly, he didn’t really have to get out of second gear,” said Lions coach Kev Dillon.

“We were a bit surprised when it went to a split decision because the general opinion was that Osama had won unanimously.

“But you take what you get and he is through to the next stage and that is what matters.

“Hopefully he can now go on and win this weekend. That would be brilliant.

But there was no joy for Lions clubmate Matthew Ford (60kg), who lost to reigning national champion Lucas Biswana.

“Matthew can be really proud of what he has achieved. He was fighting an ABA champion and he put up a good show. He showed a lot of heart,” added Dillon.

Priory Park’s Clifton is assured a shot at the title having been handed a bye in his semi-final.

Graham takes on Joel Blakeley (Droylesdon) in the last four at 80 kg.

In the girls’ championship semi-finals, Oakley goes up against Chanel Kendall (Attleborough) at 48kg while Holland (54kg) takes on Kyla Verlander (Punchout).

Osama Mohamed - Lions

Kelsey Oakley - Priory Park 48kg takes on Chanel Kendall (Attleborough)

Mia Holland Priory Park takes on Kyla Verlander (Punchout) 54 kg

Ellis Clifton bue into the final 48kg

Matthew went into this competition having had just eight fights and he was fighting lads who had between 25 and 30 bouts.

It’s been a great experience for him.