'I told him the show must go on' (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Waltham Forest ABC coach Chris Baker praises young fighter Liam Dillon

12:30pm Friday 10th February 2012 in Sport

Waltham Forest ABC coach Chris Baker has praised teenage fighter Liam Dillon for helping to bring a smile to his face on an emotional day.

The Forest head coach had suffered the sad news that his father-in-law, Rob Williams, had passed away earlier on Saturday, but decided still to fulfil his duties by taking Dillion to the Chelmsford ABC show at Marconi Club in Essex.

And after battling the snow to face the bigger home fighter Zac Farmer, the Forest puncher soon warmed up the spirits of his coach.

After a nervy start, Dillion quickly began to find his range against the awkward southpaw, with the referee soon stepping in between the pair to administer a standing count to the home fighter.

Dillion kept up the pressure in the second session, with his big right hand over the top continuing to cause Farmer problems.

Two more standing counts left the official with no other option but to bring a premature end to proceedings, with the Forest boxer scoring his most notable victory to date.

A delighted Baker said: “Our secretary Ian Cuddy told me that I could pull out because of events, but I told him the show must go on.

“It had been a difficult day for me and my family and I told Liam to go out there and do me proud.

“He was up against a very good home boxer, but all his efforts in the gym have paid off because Liam looked very powerful.

“This was without doubt his best performance yet and I just hope he can continue to progress, because I believe we have a very talented fighter in there.”