Fiaz impresses at Northside show

GREAT EFFORT: Aqib Fiaz (second left) with coaches (from left) Ryan Lawson, Joe Pennington and Asam Fiaz

THE annual Northside Amateur Boxing Club show at Stanley House in Audenshaw saw a sell-out crowd of 250 enjoy a superb evening of sport.

The schoolboys took centre stage early on, before the junior bouts got under way and Reece Delaney - from Mossley - boxed a tough opponent from Halliwell, eventually winning a unanimous points decision.

Delaney boxed efficiently, counter-punching his opponent every time he came close to him.

Once the senior bouts started, Chadderton's Perry King made a comeback after a three year lay-off.

He faced a last-minute opponent as his original rival pulled out.

The opponent was six kilograms heavier and King had to dig deep.

King desperately tried to keep him away with some quality boxing on the back foot as he landed some crisp uppercuts.

He ended up standing toe-to-toe, though, and eventually won on a split points decision.

This sets up King nicely for the senior ABAs, which take place next month. He will enter the 64kg category.

Rounding off a great night, Aqib Fiaz boxed for the 60kg English Youth title against a top-ranked opponent in Jack Jones from Liverpool.

The two had met before in the Junior ABA nationals.

Fiaz boxed well, eventually winning the fight on a unanimous points decision.

Meanwhile, Fiaz has since been picked for the Commonwealth Youth Games selection squad and has spent two days at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

If he secures final squad selection, a once-in-a-life time opportunity to represent his country in the Bahamas beckons.

Altogether 10 Northside boxers won on the show, and just two lost.

The club's next show is on May 27 at the Manchester Velodrome, and coaches are looking for sponsors.