Henry closer to title after ‘winning ugly’

Teenager Faizey after Sunday’s championship success

THE Faizey family march towards fight titles is gathering momentum.

On Sunday, Henry Faizey took another step towards NABGC (National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs) under 67kg glory with hard earned victory at Acocks Green gym.

In the West Midlands v East Midlands round of the competition, 18-year-old Henry outpointed a fighter from a very famous boxing family – Mason Fury.

The three rounds can best be described as untidy, Derek Fitzpatrick, from Henry’s club, Fitzpatricks in Leamington, used the phrase “not pretty”. Both Henry and Fury, from Northampton’s Rough and Ready club, received lectures from the ref.

Importantly, Faizey, after losing the first, solved the conundrum before him. Already crowned Midlands champ, he now goes forward to the pre quarter-finals this weekend, also held at Acocks Green.

For Henry, who fought for Hall Green before his family moved to Stratford, it proved a hard fought victory.

Derek said: “He just didn’t get going in the first, which is very uncharacteristic. They (Rough and Ready) weren’t happy with the decision, but I thought Henry clearly won, he clearly won two of the three rounds.”

In his fight report, Derek states: “This wasn’t a textbook encounter for the purests, but a definite crowd pleaser, with vocal support on both sides.

“It was a case of winning ugly. We knew Mason was a very tough, durable opponent and that this would be a very physical encounter that may not be pleasing on the eye.

“It’s better to win ugly than lose pretty.”

That was Henry’s 24th win in 31 contests and of his chances of becoming national champ, Derek said: “We’re quietly confident. I think Henry’s in the top bracket for his age and weight.

“He’s definitely growing with the competition – with every win comes that bit more belief.”