Published at 11:43, Thursday, 28 February 2013

CLEATOR Moor boxer Cameron Bagley turned disappointment into triumph – by taking on and beating a last-minute replacement opponent.

King of the ring: Boxer Cameron Bagley

Bagley had been let down by Barrow’s Levi McMeaking who challenged for his belt but pulled out only two days before the fight.

Bagley had trained for the southpaw challenger and was looking forward to the contest, but accepted a bout with Shaun Banks, from Dunston ABC, Gateshead, at a moment’s notice.

In the first round of the fight which took place on Friday at The Shepherds Inn, Carlisle, Bagley opened his account with solid left/right combinations against the tall and rangy Banks, who tried to box at long range.

Bagley kept a tight guard, kept going forward and landed the cleaner shots to win the round.

In the second, Bagley found his range, upped his work rate with Banks using grab and jab tactics.

Bagley stuck to his boxing, kept his composure and won the round.

In the third, both fighters kept the same tactics, with Bagley looking stronger in the exchanges.

Banks made the round competitive but Bagley won unanimously against a very awkward and capable opponent.

Club coach Dick Newton praised Bagley for taking the bout at short notice and the way he coped with Banks after training for a southpaw.

Newton said that Bagley showed his class, power and ring presence in what was one of his best performances.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk