Young boxers impress Barry McGuigan on Telford visit

Retired former world boxing champion Barry McGuigan was in Shropshire last night to help mark 40 years of Telford Amateur Boxing Club.

And the 'Clones Cyclone' was left suitably impressed by the standard of the county's boxers after taking in an 11-fight show at AFC Telford's New Bucks Head Stadium.

Fantastic, great and excellent were just some of the words he used to describe the quality of the bouts on offer which featured fighters from clubs in Shropshire, West Midlands and Herefordshire.

• Watch Barry McGuigan discuss the Haye/Chisora fight below

The event took place inside a big marquee on the pitch in front of a 300-strong crowd.

McGuigan said: "The boxers were so good, so talented.

"It is a credit to all the coaches that the standard of boxing was so high. Some of the kids have had half a dozen bouts and I loved the way they were putting their punches together. I loved their technique and they have done loads of drills obviously and lots of sparring.

"I could see step backs, I could see jabs, I could see lean-backs, counter-punching, head movement. It is really great to see."

McGuigan's appearance is the second coup Telford ABC have pulled off over the last 12 months, after Frank Bruno attended a similar event last year.

Coach Andre Savchenko added that the chance to box in front of such an accomplished former professional champion had been a big motivation for the club's boxers.

The show doubled as a fundraiser for the club as well as Severn Hospice and organisers estimate about £2,000 was raised.

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Video courtesy of Howling Monkey Media