HALSTEAD Boxing Club Senior Light Middleweight James Blore did himself and his club proud as he fought in New York.

Blore knew he would be up against it when he was matched against this year’s American Golden Gloves champion, Ken Robies, in the bout as part of a specially-selected Essex and Billericay and Wickford ABC team at University Staten Island.

The bout proved to be a terrific crowd pleaser, as Blore’s fiery action-packed style had the huge crowd roaring him on throughout the first round.

He came at his American opponent like an express train from the first bel, picking Robies off with sharp single shots and two and three punch combinations to end round one.

It was clear as the bout went on in the second round that something had to give as Blore kept up the pressure.

Robies realised it was better to move in closer and as he did he connected with a peach of a right hand over the top of Blore’s guard which sent him crashing into the ropes as the bell sounded to end the round.

At the start of the third, little separated both boxers but Robies showed he could stay cool through a typically savage last-round assault from Blore as he dominated several fierce exchanges with the driving force of his attacks.

Robies showed once more a readiness to trade punches at Blore’s ferocious pace.

The American came back with a well-timed left hook on the side of Blore’s chin which floored him for a count of eight and his corner threw in the towel as they could see he was still a bit wobbly on his feet.

Blore was still smiling at the end, though.

He said: “It was a great experience and I learned a lot going around all the boxing gyms and meeting some remarkable people.

"I would like to thank coaches Les Cooke and Kipper Graham from the Billericay and Wickford ABC for selecting me to box for their team against the American Select Team in New York.”