A YOUNG Tavistock boxer has reached a huge milestone in his sporting journey after winning a major regional title.

Pete Jarman, 24, from Tavistock was victorious at the Western Counties Finals on Saturday (November 20), beating opponent Ozgan Isa from St Austell to secure the Heavyweight Champion title at the event in Taunton.

Tavistock Amateur Boxing Club member Pete’s challenge was to overcome the shorter but more powerfully built finalist who it transpired was also a southpaw (left-handed boxer) – one factor which affected the fighting strategy employed. The first round saw some good work at range from Pete coupled with some impressive footwork. The return from his opponent was limited because of his inability to close with the faster and more elusive Pete, allowing him to gain an advantage. Towards the end of the round a combination of shots from Pete saw Isa pushed back with the sheer power of his blows.

Round two and the St Austell man came forward straight from the bell. His pressure was avoided with more excellent footwork which was complemented by a handful of deft return shots. Sixty seconds into this round a flat-footed Isa was caught with a superb left-right combination which left the St Austell man on the canvas. The obligatory eight count followed, followed by a then more defensive attitude from Isa, who saw out the end of the round without further mishap.

The third round then became a survival exercise for Isa, whose only reply to attack were powerful swinging left hands. The better work was carried out by Pete – on several occasions his combinations looked like completing the bout prematurely. St Austell’s Isa still just managed to hold on Pete until the final bell. The decision was unanimous, with points granted in favour of Tavistock’s Pete Jarman, who was then resultantly declared Western Counties Heavyweight Champion.

‘I’m really pleased to win,’ said Pete, who won the same title two years ago but as light heavyweight, which is two weight divisions lower. This fantastic result for Pete means he will now progress to fight a fellow heavyweight champion from a different region in the next level of the national tournament. This will take place in a fortnight’s time at a location yet to be announced.

Pete’s coach Tony Fennell at Tavistock ABC, himself a former boxer, said Pete had made great progress in his boxing career so far. ‘He was originally 79-80kg, now he’s up to 91kg. Pete’s done a lot of other sports such as cycling and swimming so he started off with strong legs. Subsequently, in the last few years his shoulders have developed. His power has increased as he’s matured.

‘Our focus is on defence,’ he added. ‘Boxing’s an interesting game – you don’t want to get hit yourself but you want to hit the other person. It’s a very stategic sport. Ernest Hemmingway boxed and described it as “one of the most noble sports.”’

Pete began boxing at the age of 19 and competed for the first time in February 2017. He has now won 10 of his 14 fights (losing two to the same opponent). ‘When I first started, understandably I used to get really nervous before a competition,’ he said.

‘Now I only do a little; once you do a few competitions you get used to it. The psychological element is massive but it really helps to clear your head – it’s good mentally and physically. I started boxing just for fitness and have been coming down ever since. Now I train most evenings. Boxing’s very different to other sports such as football. With a football match, you have ten other people that you compete against your opponents with, whereas with boxing it is just you, you’re fighting on your own in the ring.’

In addition to training and competing, Pete is also qualified to coach younger boxers and regularly takes his own sessions. Tony said: ‘When you do sport to a certain standard, it’s important to give something back.’ He added that he liked to take his time when training youngsters to box. ‘We don’t just throw people in the ring, it’s a very progressive sport.’ Competitions should be spaced, he said. ‘At a developmental stage, I’d rather them do one bout and then come back to the gym and analyse what went right and wrong and train from there.’

With two members of the club competing on a wider stage last weekend, Tony’s philosophy is paying off. As he puts it, ‘we are only a small club but we are disproportionally successful’.

Tavistock Amateur Boxing Club saw another competitor take to the ring this week —17-year-old Josh Chapman represented the Western Counties in the National Junior Championships in Caterton, Oxford where he faced opponent Max Bayer of High Wycmobe, respresenting Eastern Counties.

Coach Tony Fennell said: ‘It was a good contest, the decision was a split points win for Bayer. Josh will improve and should concentrate on getting on the front foot earlier.’

The first round saw both boxers ‘sizing up’ the other and make fast tactical decisions. Josh returned his opponent’s advances with some forceful blows, pushing him back. The second round saw Josh advance and his combination punching had Bayer retreating on to the ropes but he soon bounced back in the mid-ring. The third round saw Josh throw powerful punches, forcing Bayer onto the ropes, who was lucky not to receive a standing eight count after sustained pressure.

Tony said: ‘I don’t believe in throwing boxers about every weekend. At a developmental stage, I’d rather them do one bout and then us come back to the gym and analyse what went right and wrong and train from there.

‘We have a full sized ring,’ he added, ‘I believe you should train as per the competition. We’re only a small club but we’re disproportionately successful.’

Tavistock Amateur Boxing Club prides itself on being an inclusive club that caters for all students from the age of five upwards. They can be found at Unit 1C, Westbridge Industrial Estate in Tavistock.