Boxing: Weaver claims Commonwealth title (From Thisisdorset)

Boxing: Weaver claims Commonwealth title

9:53am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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PROUD dad Jay Weaver last night compared son Iain’s stunning run to Commonwealth Boxing Championship gold with “winning the lottery”.

Ferndown’s Weaver stormed through the bantamweight field in New Delhi, beating Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Bruno Julie and India’s Commonwealth gold medallist Akhil Kumar, before easing past Sri Lankan MDK Wanniarachchi in the 56kg final yesterday.

This week’s Commonwealth campaign was Weaver’s first major action since he suffered a split decision defeat to Sweden’s Bashir Hassan last month.

But the 20-year-old Golden Ring club member immediately laid to rest the ghost of that controversial loss by crushing home favourite Kumar in the quarter-finals.

Jay told the Echo: “The lads he beat were all in their 30s and he beat the Sri Lankan 7-1, so he definitely pulled it out of the bag.

“I think he has done himself and his family proud.

“I would say this is the best thing he’s ever done. He won Commonwealth youth gold in 2008, but to take the scalps he has this time makes it sweeter.

“Akhil Kumar is a god in India. He’s phenomenal, so for Iain to beat him the way he did is some achievement. It stands him in good stead for the main Commonwealth Games in October.

“I’d like to thank Stuart Gill at Golden Ring and Charlie Cooper, who has been with Iain since he was a baby. The phone call I had this morning telling me he had won was like winning the lottery. Everyone’s hard work with Iain is paying off and he is doing so well. It’s really, really good.

“People are going to look up now and say ‘Iain Weaver is on his game’. He’s out there and he’s ready for them.”

Weaver, a natural 57kg featherweight since the age of 16, was boxing for the first time at the International Olympic Committee’s 56kg weight limit after a decision to reduce the number of Olympic divisions from 11 to 10.

Jay added: “We were a bit apprehensive about this new weight category because he has boxed at 57kg since 2006. I thought having to lose that extra kilo could take his edge away, but he seems to be stronger and sharper. It seems to suit him better.

“Making the weight is always difficult, especially when you are in a different country. The camp wasn’t very good out there and he was stuck in the hotel for two weeks training and dieting. But that’s his job.”

n Weaver is looking for sponsorship. Anyone interested in backing the star should contact Jay on 07971 295869.