Ricky Summers' bye into ABA semis

Ricky Summers is through to the semi-finals of the ABA championship – despite being beaten TWICE!

Summers, from Tipton and boxing for Lions ABC, bowed out after his controversial loss in the Midlands ABA light heavyweight final to Jason Edmands of Exhall ABC.

But the 22-year-old was reinstated after Edmands pulled out with a broken hand and, in the quarter-finals, he faced Adam Farrell from Salisbury ABC.

Again, Summers and coach Bob Dillon were shocked by the points decision that went against them.

Summers handed Farrell a standing count in the opening round and was disappointed by the 18-17 score line against him.

His punches broke Farrell's jaw, however, and that means Summers is through to the last four where he will meet Michael Watson of South Durham ABC, at Everton Park Sports Centre on Sunday May 1.

Coach Dillon said: "Maybe this will be Ricky's year after all. He would be in the semi-finals anyway of he had got the right decision in his last two fights and it's up to him to make the most of his chance.

"He boxed beautifully against Farrell. It was the best I've seen him box and the decision was another shocker."

Summers knows all about what he faces in the semi-finals, having twice boxed Watson before.

He was beaten on a cut eye in Dudley, then outpointed on Watson's home show, but Dillon is convinced Summers can turn the tables and clinch his place in the final.

He said: "Farrell is a tall, upright boxer - and that will suit Ricky."

Dillon will be missing from Summers' corner for his big fight, as he is with the Great Britain squad in the Ukraine, so the Black Country boxer will instead take advice from John Shakespeare.

Shakespeare knows what it takes to win ABA semi-finals having reached the super heavyweight final three decades ago.

By Matt Bozeat