With a short time to prepare, Caymanian boxer Christopher Hurlston still managed to earn a stoppage win over Arlen Smith on Saturday, 14 Sept., at the Yorkshire Novice Championships.
With the win, Hurlston has advanced to the finals where he is set to face former foe, Muhammed Alet – the man he beat for the Yorkshire Novice belt in February.
Though Hurlston won, he admitted that his preparation was not the best leading up to his fight on Saturday and he will have to make up for it the next-go-around, recognising that Alet is no slouch.
“It feels good for the confidence, but I can’t let it get to my head,” Hurlston told the Compass after he TKO’ed Smith. “It’s on to the next; business as usual. I have to keep my composure.”
The boxing novice tournament is featured throughout the 48 counties of England, with the finalist from each area qualifying for the National Championships later this year.
All the fighters competing must have a record with less than 20 fights – a mandatory stipulation.
For Hurlston, he will enter the ring after his win on Saturday boasting a 10-3 record.
According to Hurlston, who trains out of Henry Wharton’s Gym in England, his cardio wasn’t at its peak in his recent fight, but he vowed that won’t be the case when he faces off against Alet in the final.
“My fitness wasn’t the best,” he said. “I was back home working and didn’t really train, and I’ve been back here now for two weeks.
“So I didn’t have much time to train, but now I have to work hard, I’ll just keep preparing. If I win in the finals, I’ll be in the national championships.”
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