Ring success for Academy but show fails to pull in the crowds

There was a disappointing turnout for The Academy Luton ABC’s show last Sunday at Luton Rugby Club – even though it was a successful night for the home club’s fighters.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th May 2013, 08:51 BST
Punching power: Steven Duffy, of The Academy Luton, claimed victory against George Johnson (Earl Shilton) on a good night for the home club in the ringPunching power: Steven Duffy, of The Academy Luton, claimed victory against George Johnson (Earl Shilton) on a good night for the home club in the ring
Punching power: Steven Duffy, of The Academy Luton, claimed victory against George Johnson (Earl Shilton) on a good night for the home club in the ring

The club relies on the shows to raise much-needed funds for the volunteer-run gym on New Bedford Road and Academy coach Graham Bell has confirmed that the Sunday afternoon format will be scrapped for next season in favour of the more popular Saturday evening dinner shows.

Graham Bell said: “The show wasn’t actually a success as far as money went. It actually cost us to put it on this time. But at least it got the boxers out.

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“It’s all part of a learning curve and next season we will have all our shows on Saturday nights. It was an open show and all the boxers had family and friends attending, but we could have done with another 25 people or so coming in to help it break even. We still had six wins out of nine bouts and they were very entertaining fights, so from that point of view everything went well.”

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Callum Cleary’s victory over Watford’s Kasim Shah earned the young Academy starlet the Boxer Of The Day gong. There were also wins for Rhys Felix, Jake Bell, Steven Duffy and Keighlan Bonner.

Graham Bell is hoping some recent high profile events, including a visit from unbeaten WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly to the club’s newly-refurbished gym will attract newcomers.

Graham Bell added: “Our gym has recently doubled in size and we have had a new ring donated by the trainer Micky Cantwell. Now all we have to do is get more people interested in coming down to train. We are up there holding our own with some of the top clubs. We’ve got some lads fighting towards the regional and national ABA Championships and they have to take the opportunities while they are there.”

Anyone interested in getting involved can call Graham Bell on 07976 645993.

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Related topics:Luton