James Kimberley is proving to be a top all-rounder. Not only does the 11-year-old turn out for Rishton Under 12s Blue football team on a Sunday but he is also a budding amateur boxer.
The Great Harwood hitman made his debut in the schoolboy boxing championships.
He was matched with much fancied Maliki Dixon (Moss Side ABC) in the Extra Schoolboy's ABA Northwest Final at 48kg in Gorton, Manchester.
When Kimberley was called to the centre by the referee to touch-gloves the Year Seven St Augustine’s pupil’s height advantage became apparent.
And Kimberley, whose nickname is ‘Kimbo’, used it to his advantage straight from the bell peppering the local boxer with rigid jabs and crunching rear hands to silence the crowd.
Throwing numerous combinations and landing with many and taking little in return, the second and third rounds were also one-way traffic with Kimberley never letting up to give the five judges ringside the easiest desion of the event – a unanimous nod to the boxer.
Kimberley fights for Burnley’s Sandygate Boxing club and coaches Nik Tucker and Shaun Dwyer said: "They were all raving about this kid from Moss Side but they are going to have to be really special to beat James."
Anyone wishing to find out more about Sandygate Boxing Club, contact Nik on 07855505719 or John Brindle 07825250307.
