Buxton ABC's annual boxing festival impresses onces again

Keanan Bates kicked off proceedings with an action packed tussle, pressing a tall and rangy opponent.

Bates is always involved in competitive bouts and this was no different and both lads worked hard throughout.

Keanan was pushing forward looking nullify his opponent’s range advantage, his opposite corner landing as the Buxton lad moved in, which resulted in a close loss for Bates.

Kelly Booth was involved in a tough contest, before dropping to a close points loss.

The bout was competitive throughout, with Kelly pushing on the front foot against a mobile opponent who used her experience to land on the way in.

This was a loss, but another great development in the sport, becoming the first female boxer to compete on a Buxton show.

Junior Dan Taylor was forced to work for three solid rounds to pick-up a well-deserved victory against tough Trinity A.B.C opposition.

It was a great bout to watch as both boxers demonstrated strong boxing skills, blocking, countering and pressing throughout. Taylor had enough determination to edge it.

Joe Russell’s rematch with Ingle Boxer Josh Gleason delivered the epic predicted, with both boxers settling in immediately where they had left off in Sheffield.

Neither boxer was going to take a backward step and, for three rounds, both fighters put on a terrific show.

Joe was forced to work non-stop, or get buried by the powerful Gleason, and Russell obliged taking each session on the way to a terrific points victory.

Josh Chapman continues as arguably the most improved boxer in the squad, impressing with each outing.

Against a tall, muscular opponent Chapman set to his task immediately, pressuring a tall opponent who seemed willing to box off the jab on the back foot.

Josh worked hard to remove the jab from the equation, not giving the Rugely man time to set himself and, as the contest progressed, Chapman eased through the gears, causing problems with the high tempo and pressure to secure a good points victory.

Adam Sircar was involved in a top class tussle, pitched against Sam Dalie.

This started as a cagey affair between two experienced boxers seeking initial advantage.

Sircar looked sharp in the first session with particular success from the straight right. Dalie took the second, with a well boxed round, setting up a decider in the third.

And Sircar found a second wind in the last round and both finished the contest thinking they had done enough, with Sircar taking the honours.

In addition the card included two area title bouts and six top draw competitive cross-matches. Buxton missed two boxers, experienced Josh Taylor and Corin Davie, though to injury and Archie Durham missing the chance debut on his home show due to a late opponent withdrawal.