Words: Andrew Musgrove
Sheffield Hallam University fought their way to a boxing victory in the third event of Varsity 2013, defeating University of Sheffield 2-1 at the Octagon. With both sides fighting tooth and nail to gain the important victory, it proved just why it is fast becoming a fan’s favourite.
With ten warm up fights before the three main Varsity fixtures, the crowd were treated to some fantastic fighting and witnessed a few exciting prospects from various city boxing clubs, particularly Ahmed Camran.
However it was all about the Varsity competition and the three fixtures that followed did not disappoint.
University of Sheffield won the first fight as Charlie Salmon defeated Sheffield Hallam’s Jack Garety in the 3rd round as the referee stopped the fight after two devastating blows by Salmon. Hallam’s Garety had done well to survive the 2nd round as Salmon connected with the bigger hits but had come racing out in the 3rd, looking like he may deliver the knockout blow. Yet it was not to be as Salmon stood his ground delivering a blow on the chin, forcing the referee to call it in favour of Sheffield University.
With the atmosphere bubbling, Hallam knew that they needed to win the second match and Shay McCarthy fully delivered. Hallam stormed to all three rounds as Sheffield University’s Rhys Johnson ended up on the ropes in the 1st before having a point deducted in the 2nd for repeated ducking as McCarthy tightened his grip. Johnson had a brief revival as he delivered a combination of punches from the starting bell of the 3rd but a body shot by McCarthy clear hurt the Sheffield University fighter and he quickly began to tire. McCarthy won by unanimous decision setting up a winner-takes all-tie for the third and final match.
Both sides came out swinging and each missed their targets ending up in the ropes, Hallam’s Tom Housley regained his composure to hit Sheffield University’s Simon Hind with a strong left. Hind then came back strongly as Housley’s enthusiasm saw him missing more punches than he would have liked but the round ended tied.
The 2nd round saw Housely come quickly out of the starting blocks forcing Hind onto the ropes yet the round once again saw few real hits.
The match was evenly tied and it looked as if one punch would win the fight and with both sets of supporters understanding the importance, the stage was set.
Housely once again came out swinging from the start with clear intention, knocking Hind into the corner with a devastating blow to the head. Hind stumbled into the ropes and with him unable to regain his feet the referee called the fight over and Housely was awarded victory by knockout, sending the Hallam faithful into raptures.
Fight 1: Charlie Salmon (UNI) (W)
Fight 2: Shay McCarthy (SHU) (W)
Fight 3: Tom Housely (SHU) (W)
Sheffield Hallam win overall 2-1
@SHUlifeSport
