SAM Reay produced the stand-out display of three Radcliffe Community ABC boxers in the ring this week.
The 23-year-old bounced back from a defeat in County Durham earlier in the month to beat home fighter Paul Taylor at a show organised by Everton Red Triangle ABC at the Isla Conservatory Glass House in Liverpool.
But there were defeats for club-mates Jake Tomlinson – also at the Everton Red Triangle show – and Max Murphy at a Southport Stars ABC event.
Reay was on the front foot from the off to see off Taylor by a unanimous decision on points in the 70kg division.
Coach Barry Smart said: "He started off strong in the first round, moving well on his feet, and carried that form into the second round.
"He gave his opponent two body shots – a right and a left – which slowed him down and the referee eventually stepped in to give him a standing eight count.
"Sam went on to finish the stronger man in the third and it was an obvious unanimous decision."
Tomlinson, aged 19, gave away a significant height advantage to opponent Josh Quarless in their 90kg bout. Standing at only 5ft 8ins, the teenager was dwarfed by 21-year-old Quarless, who towered above him at 6"5.
Quarless made the most of his advantage to win all three rounds.
Murphy also lost, but the result against fellow 16-year-old Scott Brown in the 69kg bout at West Lancashire Yacht Club in Southport was a much closer contest.
Smart said: "The second the bell went at the start of the opening round Max came blazing out of his corner.
"He jolted his opponent's head back quite a few times in the opening round with hard straight lefts.
"Even I was surprised with how fast he came out.
"His opponent managed to compose himself in the second round, which was much more toe-to-toe. Unfortunately, Max got caught and his gum shield came out and the ref gave him a standing count.
"He went on to lose the decision despite doing some of his best boxing in the third round, so I definitely think the standing count cost him the fight."
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