Boxing: North East set to be a force in the ring.Byline: STUART RAYNER ON the day Sedgefield's Bradley Saunders staked his claim as a serious medal contender for this summer's Olympics with a triumphant return to the ring, his brother Geoff and Northumbria's Michael Watson For the Scottish politician, see Mike Watson Michael Watson (born March 15, 1965) is a former boxer from England. During his fighting days he had the reputation as the nice guy of British boxing, the people's choice who kept to himself (which contrasted sharply with were laying a marker for the 2012 Games, writes STUART RAYNER. On his return from a broken hand, 22-year-old Saunders won the inaugural AIBA President's Cup by beating Hastings Bwalya of Zambia in the Hsinchuang Stadium in Taipei, China. The competition saw Saunders' first fights since claiming a bronze medal at the World Championships in November 2007 and Bwalya was just the last of a string of impressive scalps. En route to the final Saunders beat Cameroon's Smailia Mahaman, fellow World Championship bronze medallist Masatsugu Kawachi of Japan and reigning Olympic light-welterweight champion Manus Boonjumnong Manus Boonjumnong (born June 23, 1980) is a Thai boxer the Olympic champ at Light Welterweight (64 kg) at the 2004 Summer Olympics . At the 2003 World Amateur Boxing Championships in his home country Bangkok, the light-footed counterpuncher won the bronze medal losing to of Thailand. Meanwhile, in Liverpool, Saunders' 16-year-old brother Geoff was winning the featherweight championship at the Junior ABA finals. The South Durham boxer beat Shepway's Joseph Kennedy in the final. There was also success for 16-year-old light-heavyweight Michael Watson. His 12-3 points decision over Portsmouth's Kane Thompson Kane debuted for the Highlanders in 2006 after James Ryan was forced out because of injury. He showed he was well capable of stepping up to the higher level and he had a strong 2006 season for Southland. In 2007 he represented Manu Samoa at the Rugby World Cup. brought a first ABA title to Glenn McCrory's Northumbria Boxing Club, and the former world champion and mentor of the Saunders brothers hailed it as a great day for North East boxing. "To have our first national champion in less than two years is fantastic," he said. "Had Akaash Hussain not lost a very disappointing decision against the eventual winner of his division we would have had two. With the progress we're making I know our club will have four or five boxers who will definitely be battling for the 2012 Olympics - Newcastle kids like Michael, Akaash Hussain, Joe Whitfield and Lawrence Osueke. "I'm also quite close to Bradley and I really think he's going to be my successor as a North East world champion." CAPTION(S): FUTURE HOPES Michael Watson, centre, with Glenn McCrory Glenn McCrory (born September 23, 1964 in Annfield Plain, England) was a British professional boxer. Professional Career McCrory pro in 1984 and won the Vacant IBF Cruiserweight Title with a decision win over Patrick Lumumba in 1989. and Northumbria head coach Michael Duncan. |
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