RUSTHALL Boxing Club's Hemin Qadir silenced the partisan Herne Bay crowd on Friday to pick up a stunning victory in his light welterweight contest against the experienced Ritchie Goodfellow, writes Jon Harvey.

Qadir stood in for Felix Kelly, who was unwell, and after the former national champion edged the first two rounds, the Rusthall boxer upped the ante in the final rounds – following some advice from trainer Gerry Rowbottom.

The crowd, who been firmly behind the taller Goodfellow throughout the bout, were silent as Qadir was awarded the win by a majority decision – a massive victory.

"Hemin upped the pace in the third round, managing to land left and right shots to the head and body, which unsettled Goodfellow and quietened the Herne Bay crowd," coach Billy Hall said.

"Going into the final round, the fight was even. All the pressure was on him with being in front of a big home crowd and this probably worked to Qadir's advantage.

"To have a win on his card against Goodfellow is a major scalp for him.

"He listened to Gerry Rowbottom, which is probably one of the only times he has!

"I think he has realised from this fight that is it boxing, rather than brawling."

Next up for Qadir is a tough contest against the Foley Club's Stevie Ellis, in Woking.

A trio of Rusthall boxers will be fighting on Friday night in Southampton, at the Golden Ring Show.

Twelve-year-old Setan McPhee will make climb into the ring for the first time, while Jordan Bradley-Stopps and club captain John Grice will have their work cut out for them against the finest that the Golden Ring Boxing can offer.

The club continues to go from strength to strength, with the number of boxers able to compete set to increase after Wednesday's medicals.