Boxer reaches national final

WARRINGTON amateur boxer Michael McKay hit the heights of his sport when he reached the final of England Boxing National Elite Championships.
The heavyweight is the first person from Warrington to achieve this.
McKay is trained at local amateur boxing gym, Hook and Jab, which is based on Pallantine Industrial Estate.
A quarter finalist last year, McKay, made strong progress throughout the
tournament, defeating several well-ranked and respected opponents.
In the quarter finals he defeated Midlands champion, Ryan Hatton, winning an energetic bout, keeping the fight at distance and successfully landing with left, right combinations. McKay imposed himself early in the fight, with the referee giving Hatton a standing count after just 20 seconds of the contest, and went on to secure a unanimous points decision.
In the semi-finals, he beat Adam Simpson, from Preston – again with
unanimous points decision.
In the final, McKay faced slick counter-puncher Ricardo Slue, from London’s famous Fitzroy Lodge gym.
This was a closely fought bout, with both boxers giving it their all. Slue showed great skills and set a high tempo, but McKay answered back – landing some strong backhand punches, which rocked his opponent several times. Unfortunately, McKay was unable to edge his opponent in this closely contested bout, and Slue was awarded a unanimous point’s decision and the coveted title.
McKay is now the number two ranked heavyweight in English amateur boxing.
His coach, Derek Groarke,said: “Reaching the finals of
the Elite Championships is the dream for any amateur boxer. What’s most impressive though, is that Mike only started boxing at the age of 24 and is just 27 years old now.
“Almost every boxer at the tournament had begun their journey in the sport as a schoolboy, and this shows what a natural talent Mike is.
“The final was a tightly matched contest and many in the crowd thought that Mike had done enough to win. We’re incredibly proud of him reaching the final – becoming the first person from Warrington to achieve this success.”
Pictured: McKay, right, in the final.