Khan makes Colwyn appearance to support little brother

WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan paid a surprise visit to Colwyn Bay and was ringside to watch some of the region’s top amateurs in action.

Khan was at the Eirias Park Leisure Centre for a superb night of boxing hosted by Dyffryn ABC on Friday.

The Bolton man supported brother Haroon in his bout with Anglesey fighter Akeel Ghani, of Holyhead’s Red Dragon ABC.

Amir’s presence created an electric atmosphere within the sports hall and in the ring Haroon started at a fast pace, whipping in with wicked hooks aimed to body and head, but most hitting Ghani’s guard.

The few that found the target won Haroon the bout by a well-earned unanimous decision, but Ghani showed his opponent he was there for the three rounds, landing jabs and hurtful left hooks on the Bury boxer’s chin.

After the contest Haroon’s record stands at 65 wins in 80 bouts, and he was named best senior boxer of the night. Ghani has 20 victories in 32 fights and continues to develop a promising boxing career. He did the island proud, as always.

For the home squad it was a superb night, according to coach Wez Jones.

First contest of the evening featured Dyffryn’s Ryan Urquart, 12, who used sound boxing skills to outpoint Llandudno's aggressive Leon Hender. The result a majority decision to Urquart.

Next up was the evening’s best junior boxer, 10-year-old Connah Jones, also of Dyffryn.

He produced an action-packed display of boxing and aggression to unanimously outpoint Bury’s Tommy Young.

Then came Welsh champion Billy Edwards, who wasn't at his very best but performed admirably to hold off the extremely determined Nathan Williams, from Maes G, and take a majority decision.

Tom Jones, 14, of Glan Conwy, fought well and stayed one step ahead of his excellent opponent Josh Middlehurst (Chester) to record a majority decision, before James Leary hammered out a points win over Jack Whittingham (Runcorn).

Last up for the home club was 24-year-old Shaun Punter, who lost his welterweight contest on the tightest majority decision to Padraig Sweeney, from Bury.

Elsewhere, Deva Police ABC enjoyed their final show of the season at Saltney Social Club.

In attendance were guests George Scoffield and English light welterweight champ Steve Williams.

Among the winners of the night was talented Sam Rigg, who beat Shotton’s J Walsh on points.

Connor Beattie (Deva) beat J Sutherland in a hard-fought contest, and Sam Parry beat Llandudno’s L Taylor.

Llay’s M Williams boxed well to shut out M Hazel, and the superb Jack Rodgers defeated Vauxhall’s T Lloyd.

Other winners included Jake Cruise (Deva) Long Lane’s L Grogan and Sam Pickering, who put on a great show to defeat J Evans (Shotton).