Weigh-in was at 11am sparring due to start at 1pm but started around 1.30-1.40pm i wouldnt say that is excessive, it did go on a long time not because of massive gaps but due to the number of bouts. I jumped in and refereed and the people i asked said i did a good job and i only asked people whos opinions im actualy bothered about. I asked every instructor and boxer before the bout what rounds they were doing and what contact they wanted. There was no-one there sparring at 5years old, they were at least 8 or 9 and i spoke to both corners at the end of the first round and asked if they were happy with the contact to which they said yes. I talked the younger boxers through the bouts and encouraged them to kick and jad and teep and not to throw haymakers, nobody was hurt in these bouts, the only person that i called a premature end to was a boxer from Sukothai against one from GFC not because he was outclassed but because he couldnt defend himself against the clinchwork of the boxer from GFC, this was agreed with Lorne and at his request.
It was a long day with too many gyms and fights but it was a good learning experience of what gyms to invite next time and knowing who will actually show up with boxers on weight you could kick it off bang on time no weigh in and only use the gyms that can actually string a few decent techniques together.
I saw a couple of excellent fighters from Crawley one is already well known but another is relatively new and was very strong.
I must say Kieran Keddle and Darren Philips were excellent throughout the whole day. Martins wife is actually qualified in medical profession had their been any accident but there wasnt. ive seen kids much younger who are far more powerful in 4 oz gloves in bangkok going toe to toe for 15 minutes only last month and no-one was hurt. I cannot see how a 20kg 8-9yr old can throw a 12oz glove with enough venom to seriously hurt anyone but there wasnt many junior head contact bouts and only 1 under the age of 12.
There were some class bouts with people gaining valuable experience including 3 lads from my own gym one who fought twice one fought 3 times. You could make an excellent interclub with strong decent fighters using an handful of gyms. Were good boxers put out from the following gyms and some from the last interclub who would make up a good interclub or show with just these few...
GFC
Sukhothai
NMT
Naksoo
Dean Whites
Kieran Keddles
Singto
Crawley
Assasins
Sor Khamsingh
Pra Chao Suua
East Area
KO
Are there any instructors from these gyms who had a problem with the sparring and who would not have the bottle to bring it up on the day??? No