Bonanza night for fight fans

Shropshire fight fans were out in force for a bonanza night of amateur boxing at Shrewsbury's Lord HIll Hotel.

A capacity crowd turned out for Shrewsbury & Severnside's latest 13-bout show, but it proved a frustrating evening for the host club.

Their only success on the night came from 16-year-old Jack Roberts, a national junior quarter-finalist only last year.

He was a wide unanimous points victor over Asif Khan of Burslem.

"Khan isn't a bad lad but Jack boxed excellently," said head trainer Colin Hough.

"He was in control throughout the three rounds and got his rewards for the effort he has put in during training in the gym recently."

Luke Merryfield found himself on the end of a controversial points defeat to Jack Ford, of Silverdale in Stoke.

Many observers felt 15-year-old Merryfield had done enough to win the contest and level the scores after Ford had won the previous bout between the pair.

But the judges ruled that the visitor had got the edge with a tight majority decision.

William Guest, 11, saw his valiant effort come up short as he was beaten unanimously by Kevin Florence of Ledbury.

"Florence was picking William off with southpaw jabs but William gave it absolutely everything and the crowd loved the contest," added Hough.

Sonny Jones had a tight opening with Michael O'Toole of Droitwich, but an intriguing battle was brought to a premature end as Jones was ill in his chair at the end of the first round and withdrawn by Hough.

Ludlow were the other Shropshire club with boxers in action at the Lord Hill Hotel.

There were defeats for Rhett Wilson against Jack Mirwais, of Burslem, in the 66kg category and Tom Key to Worcester's Michael Mooney.

By JAMES GARRISON