Sponsored by
Too much too soon! Batey’s ABA dreams are over
Ross Batey.
ROSS Batey has vowed to remain at light-middleweight, despite his early exit from the Amateur Boxing Association championships.
The 24-year-old believed he could go all the way in this year’s tournament.
Instead, he suffered a narrow points defeat to Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman who, like Batey, has previously reached the competition’s quarter-final stage.
Batey had faced a race against time to drop down to the 71-74 kilo category, however, he believes it was a case of too much too soon.
“I lost one stone and two pounds in a month and that was far too much for me,” he admitted after his defeat.
“I was at the correct fight weight so I couldn’t eat all day then (after the weigh-in) I overdosed on carbs.
“I had a head rush and started to feel dizzy. I was seeing white dots and that was on the way to the ring. I’m gutted, I still can’t believe it, to be honest.”
The pair met in Scunthorpe on Saturday where, after finishing the first round on top, Essuman fought the next two rounds tactically.
Ignoring confrontation, he stayed on the back foot and counter punched – scavenging points as Batey went on the offensive.
In the closing stages, Batey tried desperately to breach his opponent’s defence, but it was to no avail, despite a good left hook with seconds remaining.
The fight was an entertaining contrast of styles.
After his first taste at this weight, Batey has decided to stay at light-middleweight.
“It was my first fight at the weight,” he continued. “But I’m going to stay there.
“I think I lost too much weight too soon and that was too much of an ask, but now I’m here I’m staying at it.
“I want to have another fight soon and hopefully stay at the weight for the Boston show on April 14.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Boston, Lincolnshire
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.