Khan hails his history-making trio (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Khan hails his history-making trio

5:26pm Thursday 19th April 2012 in Boxing By Graham Moody, Sports Reporter

Earlsfield Amateur Boxing Club made history at the national ABA finals last Friday, writes Graham Moody.

Louis Adolphe, Kirk Garvey and Joe Joyce all triumphed in their finals at York Hall in Bethnal Green to make Earlsfield the first ever London club to win three titles – and only the third English club in history.

Joyce was perhaps the most impressive, beating Frazer Clarke at super-heavyweight by a 5-0 majority verdict having given his opponent a standing count in the last round.

Adolphe beat Robbie Davies in the 63.5kg category by a 3-2 verdict, the same verdict that gave Garvey, a previously beaten finalist, victory against Peter Bebbington in the light-heavyweight final.

“It is quite an achievement really,” said Earlsfield’s head coach Sid Khan.

“People outside of boxing do not realise what a big deal the ABAs are – it is like winning the FA Cup for us so we are very proud of the boys.

“Our success comes from realising you cannot fast-track boxing.

“They are not all born as superstars – Joe came to our keep fit classes to start with.

“But the more you put in the more you are going to get out.

“If you get defeated, then you need to be able to brush yourself down.

“It is not like professional boxing, you are not going to go undefeated but you have to get back up again.

“Look at Louis – last season he got to the finals but didn’t get the decision. He stuck with it though and 12 months on has got what he deserves.

“Kirk has plenty of national titles but never won the ABA title having tried for the past two years but stuck with it.”

Joyce and Adolphe are already part of the GB squad and have their eyes on the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

Garvey will have to fight the Welsh and Scottish champions in the Three Nations to become GB champion, a title Adolphe and Joyce already hold.