By James Bovington
More than 300 people enjoyed an evening of boxing themed as ‘High Stakes’.
Organised by Jamal Promotions at the Banqueting Suite on Tong Road, Armley, a dozen fighters from Al Osta’s Farsley gym joined others from across the North to stage 16 competitive bouts.
At 21, Sam Duffy has established himself as a likely candidate for a future professional boxing career as his challenge for Jamal’s lightweight title belt proved successful.
He and the title holder Keirran Kavanagh, from Halifax, battled it out over four exhilarating rounds leading to a Duffy getting a unanimous decision victory. At times the vocal support for Duffy from his 80 or so supporters proved deafening.
“Winning this belt against a man who’s an absolute warrior means everything to me,” he said. “My training these past couple of months has been intense and I’m so proud to have won this title.”
Former Woodhouse Grove student Duffy and his brother Max, now 24, lost their mother when Sam was 15.
“I was inspired seeing my brother Max win his bouts. He raised me after Mum passed away. I promised her I’d be a champion and getting this title is a stepping stone to becoming a champion in the professional ring.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to make this dream come true. I just want to keep boxing and I’m always ready to take the call.”
Also on the show were Joe and Andy Walshaw whose brother Matty died in a car accident in Horsforth back in 2018.
Joe won a convincing points victory and Andy won by first round knockout over an opponent who had stepped in at very short notice.
Andy said: “Joe and I compete regularly on Jamal Promotions. Matty is always with us and spurs us on to put on a show making everyone proud.
“Like Sam I view these bouts as laying the ground to fulfilling my ambition to box as a professional. I need to get my name out there. My ambition is to be a professional boxer. I’m convinced I can go far.”
Seventeen-year-old west Leeds college student Callan Clark won his first boxing bout.
“I took up boxing eight months ago as I needed to improve my fitness,” Callan said. “I’m pleased I won but sure that IO could do better. It’s all about improving.”
The vastly experienced Mikey ‘Volcanic’ Ash, 32, won his 43rd bout on points. Harvey Bedford dropped his late-change opponent in round one.
Boxing is at its most interesting when the boxers are well-matched. This was the case for Osta’s Tom Joseph who boxed Dylan Fox from Brigg and both in their early 20s.
The bout was fast-paced and exhilarating and both showed determination, skill and heart as each one boxed to prove who was physically and mentally the tougher.
The resulting draw fairly represented the high standard of competition and the courage of both boxers.
“It’s about giving these boxers the opportunity to showcase the skills they’ve acquired in training and demonstrating the courage to prove themselves in the ring,” said Al Osta, 42, who runs Jamal Promotions with his business partner and former professional boxer Bradford’s Jermaine Springer.
“This was our sixth show and yet again a sell-out.”
If wanting to train alongside Sam Duffy and the other fighters at Osta’s on Coal Hill Lane, Farsley, contact Al Osta on Instagram @ostasboxing.
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