BOXING: Shona stars on home show while Ryan can Laud it after cracking debut

Shona Whitwell (right) during her fight against Hannah Robinson. (Image: Archant)

Fresh from her recent National Elite Championships title success, the teenage star beat current English title-holder Hannah Robinson with a slick showing at Hinchingbrooke School’s Performing Arts Centre last Saturday night.

Whitwell put on a masterclass in front of her local fans to beat an older and more experienced opponent on a unanimous decision. It was the perfect warm-up ahead of the Three Nations Tournament in Cardiff this weekend.

Whitwell was one of 10 fighters from St Ives Boxing Academy to step into the ring at their home show.

None were more impressive than 19-year-old Ryan Laud, who made a fine debut with a unanimous decision against aggressive Attleborough fighter Karl Bevan.

Laud’s smart display earned him the ‘boxer of the night’ accolade, which was selected by professional cruiserweight star Karl Wheeler.

Levi Browning (13) was another emphatic victor as he beat George Tannerhill, of the Leicester Railwayman’s club, but older brother, Tommy (15), went down on a split decision to Jerry Buckland (Billericay ABC) in his return from a long injury absence.

At senior level, Steve Ball was beaten by Omar Riseq (Bracebridge) on a unanimous decision, while Aaron Francis was unlucky to be on the receiving end of a split decision against Reece Cattermole (Patrick’s ABC) in a fight full of fireworks.

Michael Draper was pipped in a close scrap by Dillon Read (Leicester Railwayman’s), but Mohammed Hassan was fortunate to make the final bell after fading badly in his contest against Sam Muddimer (Braunstone ABC).

Aaron Richardson’s debut for the club – against Ewortise Arenyenka, from Attleborough – was brought to a premature halt by a cut above the eye.

Micky Ward opened the show in a skills bout against Layne May (Attleborough).