Commonwealth Games real prospect (From Penarth Times)

Commonwealth Games real prospect

JON Boland, of Penarth ABC, had his first experience fighting in a Welsh Select team against the Army in Dusseldorf, Germany, on September 8, when he fought Ka Rakuita from Fiji, who is in the British Army.

Jon was told by coach Neil Munn to keep it tight in the first round because he could see that Rakuita was strong and dangerous, and the Penarth man won the first round comfortably.

In the second round, Rakuita came out looking for a fight. He had gone up two gears, but Jon matched him head on with some lovely jabs and straight right hands.

A couple of times Jon fell in with his shots and paid the price by taking some big hooks. Rakuita then tried to confuse Jon by changing from orthodox to southpaw.

After the second round, Jon was able to do exactly the same. Rakuita could not cope with Jon's power and covered up, hurt. Jon let fly with two lovely body shots and when Rakuita turned to his corner to get away, the referee jumped in to stop the fight.

Based on this performance, coach Neil Munn put Jon's name forward for the box-offs for the Commonwealth Games 2006.

Jon will now fight at Barry on October 1 and is just two fights away from going to the games.

This is a tremendous achievement because Jon has only been boxing for 18 months.

Neil says that Jon is one of the best prospects to come out of Penarth for many years.

Penarth ABC will be holding another boxing show at Cogan Leisure Centre on November 18.

Tickets are available from the leisure centre, Neil Munn and all boxers.