Talented teenager is boxing clever

GOLDEN GLOVES . . . Young Oldham boxing sensation John Newell.

ROYTON boxer John Newell has weighed in with another stellar year.

Newell (16), of Shannon and Ancoats gym, got his hands on the Royal Navy ABA junior title with a barnstorming win over Andre Rhone.

The 6ft 3in orthodox fighter was leading 10-4 when the 75kg category showdown at the Barnsley Metropolitan complex was stopped in the third round.

Since then Newell, who has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award in the sports performer category, has taken up a boxing scholarship at Hopwood Hall College, where he trains in the morning and studies sports science in the afternoon.

Dad Tony said: “John is really enjoying the new course as he is surrounded by like-minded individuals who love sport.

“He continues to learn so much from Bob Shannon at the gym too.

“Bob puts the same passion and intensity into training a young lad as he does with world champions.

“You cannot put a price on the experience he has. He has been brilliant with John.”

Newell also demonstrated his maturity by fighting at a show hosted by Whitehaven Boxing Club — just 100 yards away from the taxi rank where killer Derrick Bird claimed two of his 12 victims.

The bout, which John won, took place 48 hours after the rampage.

But even though a few eyebrows were raised at the decision to press on with the event, Tony said it helped bring people in the venue closer together.

“It gave them something else to focus on for a couple of hours,” he added.

Newell is set to be a guest at a club show in London before the end of the year.

“We are all looking forward to seeing him in action again,” said Tony.

“His next fight will probably be the club show down in London. We are just waiting for the arrangements to be finalised.”