BOXING: TEENAGER Morgan Ansell showed great character to retain her Elite National title just days after suffering a defeat at the Tri-Nations Championship.
A fight against Jacy Birch from St Mary’s ABC proved to be the perfect way for Ansell to bounce back to winning ways in Sheffield on Easter Sunday.
A defeat in what was a high pressure contest could have set Ansell back, but the Clearys boxer came out on top in what was another thrilling fight between the two young boxers.
Straight from the opening bell the two boxers started putting their combinations together with the first round proving difficult to choose a winner.
Birch started the stronger in the second round and produced a series of clean punches which was enough to win her the round, making the last an important one for Ansell.
But the Leamington boxer dominated the third round to take her second title and be crowned 2017 champion.
“This young girl is a very special individual,” said coach Edwin Cleary. “She had a smile on her face the whole day and took it all in her stride.
“Morgan’s a great listener, learns very quickly and believes in her coaches. She really has the desire, dedication, and passion to go all the way.
“All their contests in the past have always been very close. These are the best two girls in Britain and will most certainly lock horns again.
“Both girls now comfortable in finals climbed into the ring like real pros relaxed and focused. Morgan will now look to push on with the Europeans later this year.”
Elsewhere, the newest member off the Clearys production line, Cameron Tait, won his first bout against Krtytof Kania at Coventry’s Triumph Club last Thursday evening.
The 22-year-old dictated the pace of the fight with his jab and went on to record a comfortable victory.
Cleary added: “As a young novice Cameron could take his time but we are really looking to push this lad as much as we can.
“He has all the attributes needed to become a success for some time now he’s been Lewis Williams’ training partner sparing and watching him train his development has been rapid. All he needs now is contests just to get use to composition.”
This weekend Williams travels to Rotherham for the quarter-final of the ABA Elite Championship.
