Highland Boxing Academy fighter Alex Mihalkins wins Northern District Championship in Aberdeen against hometown boxer
Highland Boxing Academy have their sixth champion of the season after Alex Mihalkins won the Northern District Championship.
Fighting in the youth 71kg category, Mihalkins defeated Cayden Dalgity at Dalgity’s home club Cain to earn the title.
Having lost on HBA’s home show in his previous bout, it was something of a redemption for Mihalkins, who had to excel both technically and mentally to claim the victory.
“Alex basically boxed a really good opponent in his back garden,” HBA head coach Liam Foy explained.
“They had a rampant home support, but Alex was brilliant. He boxed very well, I think he lost the last fight he had for us on our home show but he’s been working really hard to iron out the flaws in his performance.
“All the things he’s been working on fell into place on that night in the way we wanted. He went through the full repertoire of what he was capable of, and came away with the title, so I’m absolutely delighted for him.
“On paper, the boy’s record was slightly better than Alex’s, so he would have been really confident going into his own gym and fighting.
“Every one of his clubmates, friends and families were there to support, but good boxing will always silence them, and that’s what Alex did right from the start. He established himself, and that always keeps a home crowd quiet.
“That’s what you need to do, you have to immediately start well and not let the crowd grow and get behind their boxer to get them into a rhythm. You’ve then got to maintain that and not let them in, and Alex did that perfectly.”
While Mihalkins was the headline success for Highland Boxing Academy over the weekend, they did also have Alexander Russell in action, stepping into the ring and having his hand raised despite having less than 24 hours’ notice of the bout.
“Alexander got a win in a good, competitive bout which will set him up for the Development Championships in January,” Foy added.
“Getting a fight on such short notice happens from time to time. I’ve certainly been in that position before where I’ve had to get bouts made at late notice.
“Not every boxer, regardless of their training, will be prepared to step in the ring with 24 hours’ notice. It shows the type of boxer that Alexander is. He’s hungry, wants to be active, and he’s always ready to go.”
