Camden Sports - by STEVE BARNETT Published: 27 November 2008
Darren Ballinger, left, and club-mate Akram Ibrahim
Dynamite in National bid
DYNAMITE Darren Ballinger will be vying for a place in the final of the National Championships on Sunday when he returns to the ring in Bristol.
The hard-hitting lightweight was crowned London Novice champion after beating Repton’s Luca Cutrupi in his last outing.
In a lively affair, the Islington fighter displayed a solid array of shots to edge the opening round against Cutrupi.
Both men put in a tremendous work rate in the second round, with Ballinger staying in front thanks to a series of accurate right hand punches.
Cutrupi tried desperately to make up the deficit in the final round, but Ballinger stood firm to win the judges’ decision.
Meanwhile club-mate Akram Ibrahim was allowed back into the competition after Norris Thompson of Finchley ABC withdrew from the tournament.
The welterweight, who lives in Holloway, failed to make the most of his second chance as he was beaten by Jamie Holder of Eltham ABC in a closely fought semi-final.