Careful Jennings learns from his past mistakes

MATT JENNINGS said he wanted to go the distance when he faced Sonny Jury and he certainly got his wish. In stepping up a class, Guernsey's premier boxer took on Newbury fighter Jury in four two-minute rounds in the season's opening dinner boxing event at St Pierre Park as the Amalgamated Boys' Club faced a strong North-West Select team.

And he gave a more considered performance at the top of the bill to secure a unanimous points decision over the classy Jury.

'I'm thinking more about my boxing, instead of going out there and trying to out-blast them,' said Jennings.

As is often the case with the 30-year-old Sarnian's fights, he took his time to get into the swing of things. But when he was up to speed, instead of unleashing the usual booming shots, he was content to pick away at Jury and gather the points.

In the second round Jennings looked to get his combinations going to see him land more punches than his opponent.

By the final round, Jennings was controlling the middle of the ring as Jury sucked up all his hits.

But the Newbury man was not chipping away at Jennings' defence and the Guernseyman was deservedly awarded the verdict.

Jennings said he had learnt lessons from his most recent fight, a defeat against Rob Boardman in March.

On that occasion, the local favourite was counted out in the final round after having dictated the proceedings.

'After my last fight, when I was caught, I kept my hands up this time,' said Jennings.

'I did want to do four rounds and they said he was a better boxer, but I went out there and outboxed him. It gives me more to work on, more fitness if I do four rounds.

'I need to think more about my boxing and stay tight.'

The evening had got off to a flyer when 13-year-old La Mare de Carteret schoolboy Daniel Davis took on Billy Le Poullain from Alderney.

The Ridunian came out punching from the bell, but Davis rode it out.

Both boxers put up a good show but it was Davis who went on to secure the win on points.

His efforts earned him the best Guernsey boxer accolade from the visiting coach, Steve Walshaw.

'I was quite nervous but I tried to move my head and unload my punches when he was in the corner and to keep on him,' said Davis.

Perry Bentley kept the momentum going for the greens as he stopped Anthony Boardman from the Tydesley Centurions Club in the second round of their featherweight bout.

Gage Demoor then went down to the aggressive Andrew Kremer.

The North-West boxer threw Demoor to the ground a couple of times in their light-welterweight contest, but that did not stop him taking it on points.

Next up was the bout of the evening between Sarnian Shaun Sawbridge, making his debut, and Jay McNeil.

In an evenly matched light-heavyweight fight that saw both boxers bloodied by the end of the three rounds, again it was the visiting fighter who had his arm lifted come the final bell.

'I'm disappointed to lose and I put a lot of effort into that,' said 19-year-old Sawbridge afterwards.

'I'm going to have to train harder.'

Alderney's hard-hitting welterweight Ashley Foster looked out of sorts as he fought Ryan Hagan in the following bout.

As someone in the audience noted, it looked like Michael Owen taking on Peter Crouch as the squat Foster tried to get on the inside and work the body of the taller Hagan.

But Foster just did not have any rhythm and he was clearly very tired in the final round as Hagan won by a unanimous decision.

And in the last fight before the interval, Guernsey-based Irishman Tommy Atcheson, on his competitive debut, was stopped in the first round by Christopher Mathinson when he was caught with a right-hander.

The greens got back on track after the break as first up crowd favourite James Wool-nough managed to edge a very close tussle with Craig Boardman.

The 17-year-old won by a split decision, with the judges scoring it 17-16, 7-4, 9-11.

'I thought it wasn't as close as that,' said Woolnough.

'But he's difficult and very strong. He comes forward all the time and he put me under pressure.'

Shane Le Patourel was not so fortunate, losing his middleweight contest on points to Danny Morris of Manchester.

However, he could have his chance to get revenge because the pair look set to face each other again at the open show in February.

Next up, cruiserweight Wayne Calladine took a split decision over Michael Foster before Tom Duff stepped between the ropes to take on Ryan Sotton in their middleweight bout.

It was the first time that the island footballer had fought in more than three years. But he did not show any signs of rustiness and he looked in good shape as he won by a unanimous decision.

'It was hard work coming back and it took me a couple of rounds to work him out as he's a counter-puncher like myself,' said Duff.

And with Jennings taking the last bout, Guernsey went away celebrating a 6-5 victory at the end of the night.

However, mention should go to Walshaw who did yet another excellent job in matching to ensure a night of good action.

'I'm very pleased with the boys,' he said.