[James]

Barry bids for boxing semis

Published Date:
25 April 2008

By Simon Newstead

In-form Barry Buchanan is set to face a former Big Brother contestant in the quarter-finals of a national boxing competition.

The West Hill welterweight ace will take on Anthony Agogo in the Senior ABA Championships at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, on Friday.

West Hill's head coach Dave Bishop said: "The way he's carrying on at the moment, he's got a chance of going all the way. He's up there with the elite boys and holding his own."

Home Counties and Eastern Counties Champion Agogo, a runner-up in Big Brother Celebrity Hijack, won a gold medal at the World Cadet Under-17 Championships in 2005.

But Buchanan is in the form of his life following a tremendous 18-6 points victory over Combined Services Champion Mark Flowers in last weekend's pre quarter-finals.

Flowers, a class act from The Royal Navy, had no answer as the shorter Buchanan slipped his shots perfectly, scoring really heavily to the body and when coming over the top with left hands.

"It was absolutely fantastic. He was the only Southern Counties representative to win and he boxed even better than before (when clinching the Southern Counties title)," added Bishop.

Buchanan's marked improvement is being attributed to the frequent intense sparring sessions he has been having with Shane McGuigan, son of former World Champion Barry.

Should he defeat Lowestoft-based 19-year-old Agogo, of the Triple A club, Buchanan will advance to the semi-finals which are being held at the same venue tomorrow .

New junior Connor Sime is due to make his first appearance at a club show presented by Meridian ABC in Charlton tonight. Senior Kellen Leimetter is also matched.

http://www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.u...mis.4019408.jp

Draw - portal.abae.org.uk/ResultsService/tabid/65/ctl...

[LargeAndInCharge]

Gd luck to Anthony!!!!!

[James]

He won the semi-final. Finals in May.

Adam Grigg LPTS4 (4-9) Anthony Ogogo
69kg - Welterweight

Big brother star Anthony Ogogo of Triple A proved he was the daddy by edging past a game Adam Grigg (Salisbury). Ogogo found himself holding on while his head cleared after taking some big shots in the second, yet he racked up more points throughout the bout by landing the eye-catching advances.

http://www.britishamateurboxing.net/...ls-Report.html

[James]

Interview with Anthony by his local paper...

Ogogo on a title mission

02 May 2008

HIS sights were set on the final, and dreams have become reality for Anthony Ogogo.

The Triple A boxer, England international, celebrity Big Brother star, future Commonwealth Games and Olympian reached the final of the national senior ABA championships with two easy victories over older opponents at the weekend.

And after being left deflated 18 months ago by a controversial decision, which meant he missed out on becoming the youngest-ever winner (at 17) of the senior title, now Ogogo is intent on putting that behind him and lifting the national trophy.

Last Friday's quarter final at Sheffield matched him with hard-hitting southpaw Barry Buchanan from West Hill, but Ogogo's class saw him canter to a 9-0 win.

A 9-4 win in which Ogogo “never had to get out of first gear” in the semi final in beating southpaw Adam Grigg (Salisbury) on Saturday confirmed his place in the final at York Hall on Friday, May 16.

And now Ogogo's coach John Cremin and the Triple A boxing club are organising coaches for the final, encouraging locals to book their seats for the U69kg showdown against Luke Robinson (White Rose) - and there's also the possibility that some of Anthony's friends he made on E4 show celebrity Big Brother will also watch him.

“Both fighters Anthony faced were awkward - but he came through them easily, and this is a massive thing for him after the setback last time in the semi final against Selkirk,” Cremin told The Journal.

“He will be in for a battle with Robinson, as he's a strong kid - but I think he's made for Anthony with his hand speed and quick feet.”

Back in Lowestoft this week, after the double-header in Sheffield, Ogogo was able to watch his sister Carly triumph at the City of Manchester Stadium on Monday in the Schools Cup final,

He exclusively told The Journal how he was pleased with his form - but feels there is even more to come!

“The Big Brother thing has helped me a lot,” he said. “I've been a target before because of my England appearances, but this has been heightened now.

“People really want to beat me, they bring bigger crowds with them to cheer them on to beat me - but really it's worked the other way,” he revealed. “It's given me a whole new enthusiasm for it and the extra confidence to improve even more and work harder in the gym.”

With “two good wins, and two good displays” Ogogo is now confident he can emulate his sister's football team and hopefully Lowestoft Town FC in bringing national glory to town - with a top-notch hat-trick.

“I'm still upset that I didn't win in Liverpool last time, but I was cheated, and am now 100pc fully confident in myself to win in the final,” he told The Journal.

While for some this would sound like bravado, or even arrogant, Ogogo is so confident in his ability and motivated by hurt from not winning the national senior title aged 17 he is determined not to let it happen again!

“It's great for the whole town at the minute, what with Lowestoft at Wembley and the Kirkley High School girls already winning - it's putting Lowestoft firmly on the map and hopefully I can continue the success,” he revealed.

If anyone is interested in coach travel and a ticket to watch Ogogo fight in London, contact Linda on 0781 752 3079, for more information.

http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/content/lowestoftjournal/sport/story.aspx?brand=LOWOnline&category=SPORT&tBrand=l owonline&tCategory=sport&

[Dan_]

This event is being shown on live on the BBC Sport website and on BBCi at 7.30pm tonight if anyone is interested.

[GiRTh]

I'll take a look.

Thanks guys.

[Brekkie]

Probably be on in around an hour or so - they've got 3 or 4 weight categories to go before we get to Anthony.


It'll be interesting to see whether he was just all talk or whether he can back it up with a performance.

[Dan_]

Anthony won 13 points to 4 but that didn't tell the whole story of the fight.It was a classic clash of styles with Anthony being quick and flashy and his opponent just flat out power.Anthony controlled thing early on but got dropped with a right hand.Anthony carried on scoring but was being pushed back and took some big shots after dropping his guard and his footwork just wasn't there to move away.

He prevailed in the end but it was closer than the score suggested.

It was a fantastic night of boxing though, only spoiled by poor officiating and slack judging.There's some real talent for the future in the amateurs.

[Brekkie]

Definitely closer than the score suggested - and if anyone was going to get knocked out, it was going to be him.


He came across though as a right arrogant tosser both before and after his fight, and during his interview where he went on a rant about how he'd be off to Beijing if the judges a couple of years ago had been fairer to him - made himself look a right wanker.

[Dan_]

Originally posted by Brekkie
Definitely closer than the score suggested - and if anyone was going to get knocked out, it was going to be him.


He came across though as a right arrogant tosser both before and after his fight, and during his interview where he went on a rant about how he'd be off to Beijing if the judges a couple of years ago had been fairer to him - made himself look a right *****r.

He looked troubled by most of the punches he got hit with.He needs to improve his footwork big time, he was just so static.

His post fight interview certainly did him no favours.You might have thought he would have gotten over losing the last ABA final by now, he seems to think he will be winning a gold medal at 2012,judging him on tonight I'm not so sure.

There were a fair few others a lot more impressive than him.

[Brekkie]

I agree - he was hardly one of the strongest performers of the night, both in the ring and how he handled himself afterwards.

[James]

Video from the highlights...

Youtube video