HARWICH Boxing Club had a busy time with four contests at two venues.

First up was the Mayland Amateur Boxing Club show, near Maldon.

Welterweight John Wheatley looked to go over old ground in his contest against former victim Jack Martin.

Wily campaigner Wheatley dazzled his opponent in the first session, with good ring presence and a neat left-hook counter.

More of the same followed in the second session, before Martin changed tactics and took the fight to the Harwich stalwart.

Buoyed by this success, Martin, from the host club, continued to put the pressure on in the last round.

However, Wheatley dug in and was equal to the last.

After three three-minute rounds, Wheatley took the spoils on a split points decision and received his trophy from British welterweight title holder Colin Lynes.

On the same show, Rio Gordon – unbeaten in two fights – faced St Albans puncher Liam Murphy.

The 14-year-old used his natural strength to full effect in the first round, as he landed solid punch after solid punch against his far taller opponent. The momentum continued in the second round and, after one particularly hurtful combination, the referee administered a standing-eight count against Murphy.

With his confidence high, Gordon stormed the last session to ensure he ran out a clear unanimous points winner.

In doing so, he retained his unbeaten record.

The following day, the club travelled to Great Cornard as another of their useful 14-year-olds, Frazer Mann, was in action against the far more experienced Mark Riley, from Attleborough ABC.

Fired-up Mann was in marauding form as he took the initiative and forced his opponent to the ropes throughout the first round.

Mann maintained the momentum in rounds two and three as his ability to fire shots when his opponent least expected it helped him en route to a clear unanimous points decision.

Returning to the ring after nearly a year out, schoolboy prospect Stevie Martin faced the strong Sol Brookes, from Southend.

A stand-out second round from the Harwich boxer, which saw great movement and handspeed, was not enough as Brookes snatched a close split points verdict.

Head coach Martin Webb said: “We haven’t been out for a month, so it was great to get back on the road and post four solid performances.

“John Wheatley always gives 100 per cent and keeps grinding out the wins.

“It was also good to see strength in depth, with three of our younger members gaining valuable experience.

“We’re now gearing up for our home show at the Park Pavilion, in Dovercourt, on May 23.

“We’re looking foreward to showcasing our boxers in front of the local community.”