Young footballer Harri Watkin Jones swaps goals for gloves and proves a big hit

A young boxing prospect who is also a promising footballer made a winning debut between the ropes recently.

Harri Watkin Jones, 18, who fights for Denbigh and District ABC, took his fistic bow in a 69 kg bout in front of a sellout crowd of around 350 people at the Saltney Tavern.

The evening was hosted by the Deva Academy club and included an impressive array of bouts.

Harri was involved in a good three-round contest against Finley Doyle, who fights for the Deva Academy, Saltney.

It was the first bout for both lads, who had trained hard for the event.

A very even first round could have gone either way, but Harri powered through rounds two and three to win by a majority decision.

The aim for Harri now is to have another two bouts before the Novice National Championships he has entered in Cardiff on May 14.

Harri also plays for CPD Cerrigydrudion in the North Wales Coast East League Division One. He has made 16 appearances for the title-challengers this season.

His father, Dei John Watkin Jones, said: “A big thanks to trainers Peter Mackie and Tony Murphy, who got Harri in fantastic shape for his first fight and guided him through the bout in his corner.

“Cerrig have been trying to get him back for the final three games as he hasn’t played the last three in case he picked up an injury before the fight.”