GALLERY & VIDEO: Cuthbert makes dream debut at March Amateur Boxing Club’s sell-out show
PERSONAL trainer Ben Cuthbert made a dream debut on Friday night as he produced a show-stopping finish to March Amateur Boxing Club’s dinner show.
The hard-hitting 24-year-old sent Cambridge ABC’s Mesut-Can Polat crashing to the canvas twice in the first two rounds, forcing him to retire.
Coach Dave Cole said: “I think Ben surprised everybody - and probably even himself.
“He sparred with one of the lads in the club the other week and he was getting picked off to start with, but he learned very quickly.
“As a fitness instructor, he’s got that natural ability to keep going. He’s on a real high at the moment.”
The stunning debut, which saw Cuthbert awarded the best boxer of the night trophy, rescued an otherwise disappointing night for Fenland’s boxers in front of a full house at the Braza.
March’s Danny Hedges crashed out of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) Championships with a shock defeat to Billericay ABC’s Karl Davis.
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Cole said: “The boy knew he couldn’t have a war with Danny because he’d be too strong for him, so he was spinning off. Danny’s got to learn to adapt a bit more.
“He blows hot and cold and it all depends which Danny Hedges turns up sometimes. Consistency is the thing to work on.”
Chatteris ABC’s Dean Baxter fell to defeat against Finchley ABC’s Martin Delaney before Riley Smith, of Haddenham & Ely ABC, overpowered March’s Harry Rody to claim a majority verdict.
An impressive display from Southend ABC’s Billy Polkinghorn rattled Wisbech ABC’s Lol Manning, who exited the ABA Championships with a unanimous-decision defeat.
March’s Percy Baxter saw off Finchley ABC’s Jason Helsby in a breathless bout before club-mate Mark Crosby was beaten by Bradley Pauls, of Golden Ring ABC.
Cole said: “Percy doesn’t lack heart, he always gives 110 per cent, and Mark should learn from that. He’s probably learned more than if he had won.”
• For Ben Cuthbert’s reaction to his memorable debut, see Friday’s Cambs Times.
