Box Cup hat-trick for Top Yard’s talented teenagers

Top Yard Boxing Club fighters and coaches at the Midlands Box Cup.

Amir Khan Academy's Top Yard School of Boxing were a dominant force at the Midland Box Cup in Birmingham.

The competition was for talented youngsters born in 2008/09 who have competed in fewer than 10 bouts and four Top Yard lads took part.

Ismael Arif (15) won his place in the 46kg final with a unanimous points win in his semi-final, but the southpaw pocket rocket delivered an even better display to win the title and champion’s belt.

In just his fourth fight he showed fitness and work rate at a different level to his opponent. He was very close to winning by stoppage against a brave boxer.

Top Yard Boxing Club winners at the Midlands Box Cup, from left, Westley Smith, Jerry-Mike Connors and Ismael Arif.

Westley Smith (15) at 66kg was another Top Yard winner in front of a packed crowd. He stopped his semi-final opponent thanks to a frenzied attack in the final round.

And, in just his fifth fight, unbeaten Smith was on fire in the final as he peppered his opponent with long jabs and back hands. His opponent had no answers as Smith destroyed him with a barrage of non-stop punching from all angles, giving his opponent two standing eight counts before the referee stopping the punishment in the second round.

Jerry-Mike Connors (14) was straight into a final and outboxed his opponent in all three rounds. This was a classy performance from Connors who won his belt in style.

Archie Broom (16) also boxed in a competitive semi-final, but lost to a stronger opponent who went on to win the title.