Cleary’s duo face off in pulsating end to Assembly show

Cleary’s boxers Lewis Williams, Danny Quartermaine, Myles Vale and Mike Coles all found themselves without opponents on the night with the latter two agreeing to go head to head in a bout Edwin Cleary described as “the best display of guts I’ve ever seen”.

Twelve bouts were eventually matched with one half of the bill featuring boxers from Cleary’s, Warwick and Coventry University.

Jordan Tamana has a first defeat on his record, but after turning up expecting a skills bout, the Cleary’s boxer can be proud of his display against a heavier opponent.

Clubmates Jai Rai and Dean Mancini did have skills bouts, with Rai being asked to take his power off after wobbling his opponent every time he landed a backhand.

Boxing in front of his Assembly work colleagues, Jack Johnson proved too fit and strong for the much older Bradley Whitear (Smallholdings ABC), while there were defeats for Jordan Kendall and Hargobind Niijar.

Warwick fighter Jo Horrocks boxed superbly to outpoint Liam Burton from Christ the King ABC.

Giving away both experience and weight, his footwork and handspeed underlined his progress to take his record to 5-1.

Fellow Warwick boxer Lucas Tonks suffered a majority defeat at the hands of Adam Jenkinson (Christ the King ABC).

Jenkinson came out in the first round determined to stamp his authority on Tonks, who used his superior boxing skills to get the better of the second round.

However, a close third round saw the decision go the way of the Coventry boxer.

Dan Dolan completed the Warwick ABC trio, and he looked a little rusty on his first appearance in the ring this season, slipping to defeat against Triumph Club’s Jormar Ablen.

The fight of the night was left to two of Cleary’s own boxers, with Vale and Cole asked to face each other for the Uni Box Elite Welterweight belt.

Vale got the nod after a pulsating three rounds, but Cleary said decision could have gone either way.

“They don’t do draws in amateur boxing but this deserved one,” said Cleary, who is using some of the proceeds from the show to send a team to the Haringey Box Cup which takes place at London’s Alexandra Palace in June.

“As the bell went both fighters ran to each other and opened up with big shots which was the way it went throughout the fight - back and forth back and forth.

“The crowd were on there feet cheering an unbelievable contest.

“Both lads came up to me after and said that was the hardest fight they’ve every been in.

“With both lads looking to turn pro in the next 12 months if ticks a big box for me.

“As a pro you need to be able do a job no matter who is in front of you.”