TOMMY Martin has been tipped to win titles by his coach after he overcame the top-ranked boxer in his class at a mid-Anglia show on Friday night.

TOMMY Martin has been tipped to win titles by his coach after he overcame the top-ranked boxer in his class at a mid-Anglia show on Friday night.

Martin produced a superb display of aggressive boxing in an open and entertaining bout against Hadleigh Jalil of Hoddesdon ABC to take a unanimous decision at the Burgess Hall.

Coach Steve Whitwell said that though the decision could have gone either way, the win showed how far Martin had progressed this season. He has had to battle back from defeat in the Junior ABA semi-finals – a title Jalil won at the weight below Martin – and Whitwell believes titles will soon be within reach for the 16-year-old.

“He’s developed a lot over the past two years and has had a great season. I’ve no doubt Tommy will be winning titles in the future, and he could have a future in the sport. He’s talking about turning professional one day, and he’s going the right way.”

Martin was one of four St Ives boxers who completed a perfect night for the club by taking a clean sweep of the support bouts as a combined mid-Anglia team whitewashed a Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire team.

Despite late withdrawals causing last-minute opponents to be drafted in, more than 300 people saw the Ives boxers step up to dominate their visitors.

Bradley Chapman was impressive in his clear-cut win over Jack Butcher (Ferry Street ABC), bursting his opponent’s nose and tying the fight up with a standing count before easing off in the final round.

A scrappy encounter between Hayden Beasley and Shabazz Aslam went the way of the Ives boxer, though he had to work his way into the bout against an awkward opponent.

Bradley Smith, also tipped for a bright future by Whitwell, took a close decision over Hoddesdon’s Tony Marshall to maintain his unblemished record.

Also on the bill, March ABC’s Ambrose Draper was fortunate to take a split decision over Haddenham’s Jack Halls, despite Halls appearing to have the better of the bout on the counter.

Wisbech boxer Jack Gleave beat Joe McGrory (All Comers) and former Junior ABA champion Paddy Smith (All Comers) marked his first appearance in a year with a win over Lee Horry (Bracebridge, Lincs) in a hard-hitting encounter.