First senior amateur boxing belt for Newark ABC

Ethan Squires became the first senior boxer to bring home an amateur belt for Newark Amateur Boxing Club.

The 18-year-old, of Newark, defeated Thomas Upsall in a four-round contest to claim the Notts & Lincs Challenge Belt in a bout at Hucknall.

Despite a quiet season since dislocating his shoulder in his last fight, Squires showed no signs of being ring-rusty when he went to work in the first two rounds.

The third round saw his 30-year-old opponent from Boston ABC — the defending champion — make a spirited effort to regain ground.

However Squires, who trains out of Suggy’s Gym, Newark, edged the fourth and final round to take the victory by unanimous decision.

“This is a fantastic achievement both for the club and for Ethan himself, defeating a defending champion to take the belt in his first year as a senior,” said Suggy’s Gym head coach Dean Sugden.

“The victory gives the club its second senior title, but he now goes down on record as the first senior to bring home an amateur belt. It’s a great way to finish the season.”

Newark ABC started ten years ago, and in that time former junior members Chad Sugden and Fergus Taylor made it through to national finals.

Last year also saw heavyweight Prem Posniak win the Senior Novice National Heavyweight final.

Injuries and exam commitments have made this a tough year for Newark ABC, but the club’s coaches are confident they have the infrastructure to turn their amateurs into professionals.

“Our two pro boxers, Chad Sugden and Fergus Taylor, are developing the grassroots in a class for under-12s,” Dean Sugden said.

“Irvine Taylor is also helping take them through the ranks at amateur level. Newark’s up-and-coming young fighters are getting first-class training from some of the best role models around.”

Four weeks ahead of his third appearance on the professional boxing stage, Chad Sugden described Ethan’s win as a boost for the Newark camp.

“We are all buzzing about the result. I am really pleased for him. He’s a good kid with bags of potential,” he said.