Class act Holly is impressing Chichester boxing chiefs

In a large marquee, a fervent crowd of supporters had gathered as 13-year-old Holly Heffron, weighing in at 49kg, was facing a home boxer from Sudbury, 14-year-old Ruby East, weighing in at 51kg.

Heffron hadn’t boxed since St Gerards’ big black-tie dinner show in February, was eager to get stuck in.

Coach Jon Mills said: “The he first round was a very fine example of pugilistic punching by young Holly. She totally outboxed Ruby with a fantastic ramrod straight jab, following up with cracking rear hand salvos. Holly won the first round hands down.

“The second round was much the same with Holly grabbing all the spoils up with a ferocity that found its target with every punch.

“Ruby was finding it hard to cope and was spoiling the contest with overcrowding grabs at Holly.”

Mills advised Heffron that East would come running for her in the last round.

But the coach said: “Holly kept her cool and was winding in long screw shots that had Ruby reeling away, scrambling for some fleeting punches that failed to arrive. It was a total shutout and we were totally surprised that they gave it to us on a split points decision as it was such a clear cut victory, but we were happy Holly got the very well-deserved victory.”

St Gerards coach Gerry Lavelle said: “Holly Heffron is the way forward for female boxing and is such a class act in her own right that she stuns the punters with her prowess. She boxes next on May 28 in Hastings.”

St Gerards fielded 14-year-old Freddie Hayes, weighing 54kg, versus Jerry Buckland also 14 and 54kg, from Holland Park ABC in Essex.

Mills said: “It started with Jerry crowding forward, rushing in at force. We told Freddie to start picking him of in the ring centre and we felt he was landing the more telling blows as Jerry’s were mostly on the arms.

“The second round was mostly the same. In the third round we told Freddie to jump on Jerry when he was tiring and staying still and validate his more telling blows.

“Both boxers finished very tired and Freddie lost on a unanimous points decision.

“Both boxers did so well and we are all very proud of them.”

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