Our congratulations go to Moroccan-born, Hackney-based boxer Yassine 'The Entertainer' El Maachi on his stunning victory in Tuesday night's Prizefighter 'The Welterweights II' competition.

York Hall was completely sold out for the latest in Barry Hearn's popular Prizefighter series. The home of boxing was rocking as all seven bouts delivered top class action.

El Maachi's path to the final commenced with a straightforward win over South London's Peter McDonagh, followed by a close Semi-Final triumph over Hornchurch's Colin Lynes, a bout that produced a split-decision from the judges.

El Maachi lined up against former WBC Light-Welterweight champion, Junior Witter, in the final and three solid rounds saw him collect the £32,000 prize money, completing a great night for the Hackney man and his many fans.

Here El Maachi savours his victory and kisses the trophy...



More images from the night are HERE and see the Hackney Gazette report along with our images HERE.

Roll on the next Prizefighter tournament!

Labels: Boxing, El Maachi, Prizefighter, York Hall

"Wha'ppen TGS?" I hear you ask! It's high time for a rapid roundup of recent snapping activities!

I mentioned in an earlier blog post - Back to the Marshes - that a brand new dressing room block was being built at Hackney Marshes. The South Marsh construction work forms part of the London 2012 redevelopment plan as part of the Marshes is handed over for use as a coach park for the Olympics.

Hackney & Leyton Sunday League players were able to use the changing facilities for the first time on Sunday 14th November. The new block certainly seems to be a big improvement over the building it replaced. It also means that teams will no longer have to change in the shipping containers that were being used as a stopgap solution!

Here's a general view of the entrance foyer as players make their inaugural visit...



Click HERE for a more comprehensive gallery of the new structure.

While on the subject of the Marshes, it won't have escaped your notice that the weather hasn't been too kind to outdoor sports recently. Winter has certainly come early to East London and other parts of the UK.

Here's how the South Marsh pitches were looking a couple of days ago. The layer of snow prevented any matches going ahead last yesterday (Sunday)...



Rumour has it that matches scheduled for Sunday 12th and Sunday 19th December may also be postponed. Stay in touch with the latest news via the Hackney & Leyton League Website or the TGS Twitter Feed.

In, er, 'Twitter News', we recently hit the landmark of ONE THOUSAND TWEETS! This has sparked a special offer. Here it is in less than 140 characters...

"In celebration of 1,000 TGS tweets get a huge 20% off print & download sales until December 7th 2010. Use the code TGSTWEET20 at checkout!"

Shortly before the big freeze hit the south of the UK, I took a trip out to Northampton to cover England's Under-19s Women's team as they took on France in a well-attended friendly.

England gained a modicum of revenge for their defeat by the same nation in the last European Championships Final with a thoroughly deserved 3-1 win. Everton's 16-year-old prolific goalscorer, Nikita Parris, made certain of victory with the powerful strike pictured below...



To see the rest of the images from this match, click HERE. Also, read the latest Women's Football news by visiting our good friends at SheKicks. Keep an eye out for our images in the next issue of SheKicks magazine which is due out early in the New Year.

One way of staying warm is to indulge in some indoor sports photography. Fortunately our clients demand boxing coverage from time and time and I've yet to encounter a frozen ring at York Hall.

The last televised show at the home of boxing was another very welcome installment of Barry Hearn's PrizeFighter series: The Super-Featherweights.

I was there to capture Cardiff's Gary Buckland picking up the coveted trophy after he sent Derry Mathews to the canvas for the second time midway through the round two of a frantic Final...



For a full gallery of the evening's fights, click HERE. Keep an eye out for our boxing images in the Boxing News, the national press and local newspapers in East London.

As sub-zero temperatures persist, I Confess that our TGS plans may well be subject to change over the next few weeks... but you can keep up to date with our whereabouts by visiting our online SCHEDULE and via our popular FACEBOOK PAGE.

As for the next blog post, yep, I'm going to Save It For Later!

Labels: Boxing, Dressing Rooms, England, Facebook, Goal, Hackney and Leyton League, Hackney Marshes, Snow, Twitter, Women

First... GOAL of the new Hackney & Leyton Sunday Football League season!

Only two League matches were played last Sunday, both in beautiful Victoria Park. TGS was on hand to capture the action.

The opening onion-bag rippler of the 2009-10 campaign was scored by Albion Manor (below). Manor went on to defeat Bancroft United by the odd goal in five to snaffle up three valuable Premier Division points.



The season continues next Sunday with a full programme of fixtures. For full details follow this here linkety-link: http://www.hackneyandleytonfootballleague.co.uk/

Last... APPEARANCE for Grant Flower of Essex County Cricket Club!

All-rounder Flower leaves the county after 6 years to become Zimbabwe's batting coach. He has been quoted as having the main objective of helping them reach Test status once again.

TGS wishes him all the best in his new role which commences in October.



More archive images of Grant can be seen by clicking HERE.

Always... BUSY at TGS!

A couple of long but highly enjoyable evenings at the boxing last Friday and Saturday. Friday's show saw ShoBox: The New Generation team up with Hennessy Sports to promote a couple of international contests.

In the first of them, highly-rated Heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury outpointed Michigan-based opponent Rich Power in a fiercely contested bout. Here Fury lands a peachy straight left to Power's chin:



Stay up-to-date with TGS boxing coverage: http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/boxing.html.

Labels: Boxing, Cricket, Essex CCC, Football, Goal, Grant Flower, Hackney and Leyton League, Victoria Park

Crikey indeed! It's been a particularly busy month at TGS towers, but it's time to blog again.

Here are a few highlights of the last few weeks and it's certainly been a time for winners...

The famous Hackney & Leyton Sunday League stages no less than FIVE Cup Finals at the end of each season. The games are traditionally held at Leyton Football Club and TGS was on hand to cover all of them. Here's a roll call of this season's winners:

Jack Morgan Cup - Midfield FC
Albert Daniels Senior Cup - Real Romania FC
Dickie Davies Cup - Lapton FC
Jack Walpole Cup - Clapton Rangers FC (pictured below)
Hackney Gazette Cup - Bancroft United FC



Click HERE for more Hackney & Leyton Cup Final images!

However, the season ended with some sadness for the players and officials of the League. The unique dressing room block at the East Marsh of Hackney Marshes is to be demolished as preparations continue for the 2012 Olympics. The main Olympic site is only a couple of hundred yards from the East Marsh which is to be used as a coach park for the duration of the games.

So, on Sunday 2nd May 2010, the block was used for the last time. Here a Black Meteors players makes his way to the pitches, passing one of the dressing rooms on the way...



Click HERE for more images of the East Marsh dressing rooms!

It's been a fantastic debut season in senior football for Justin Gardner's Bethnal Green United Football Club. The team entered the Essex Senior League for the 2009/10 season, moving up from the Middlesex County League, and claimed no less than two trophies.

The Gordon Brasted memorial Trophy was secured in early April and, just under a month later, the Essex Senior League Cup was won (below) with a comfortable 4-0 win over Burnham Ramblers...



Click HERE for more images of the successful Bethnal Green United FC!

Another team that has flourished in a new League is Romford FC's reserve XI. The Essex Olympian League Division Two championship was secured on the very last day of the season with a comeback victory over Runwell Hospital.

Trailing to an early penalty, two late goals ensured that Boro finished level on points with Hospital, but pipped them to the title on goal difference by just one solitary goal...



Click HERE for more images of Romford FC's second string!

We've been busy with cricket too. TGS is a regular fixture at the Ford County Ground to cover Essex CCC and was on hand when Lancashire came to Chelmsford for an LV County Championship game.

England star Jimmy Anderson was in the Lancashire line-up and proved to be the match-winner with outstanding figures of 9 for 93 from 42.5 overs...



Click HERE for more images from Essex CCC vs Lancashire CCC!

Grant Flower continues to prove his value to Essex in the one day form of the game. He was on the losing side despite scoring a century against Yorkshire Carnegie at the end of April. However, a couple of weeks later, another top-notch ton helped the Eagles to a valuable victory over the Gladiators from Gloucestershire...



Click HERE for more images of Grant Flower!

In the same game, a remarkable performance by Gloucester bowler David Payne almost went unnoticed. The teenage paceman took four wickets in four balls as he cleaned up the Essex tail. His final figures were an impressive 7 for 29 from six overs.

Below Payne claims the last wicket of his fabulous 'four in four', that of Jaik Mickleburgh...



Click HERE for more images from Essex Eagles vs Gloucestershire Gladiators!

Alongside the First Class game, TGS covers a wide variety of other cricket, including the Victoria Park Community Cricket League in the heart of East London. The VPCCL is an eight-a-side competition with matches consisting of 16 overs each.

Our 2010 coverage started on Wednesday, 28th April and (below) the bails are soon in the air as Contenders CC claim a Best Nationals CC wicket...



Click HERE for more images from the Victoria Park Community Cricket League!

There's a huge amount of club cricket played in Essex with many teams fielding several XIs. The T. Rippon Mid-Essex League has no less than ELEVEN divisions...

...and, yep, here's some action from Division 11. Newcomers St Andrew's CC ran riot as they collated 331 runs from 45 overs away to Havering-atte-Bower 4th XI. Star man was batsman Varghese (below) who single-handedly smashed 181 runs. Havering made a brave reply but could only muster 175-9...



Click HERE for more Essex Club Cricket images!

The 2010 British Under-21 Speedway Final was held at Arena Essex on Friday, 16th April. This annual event is an opportunity for the up-and-coming stars of the sport to show off their riding skills.

TGS snapper Rob Newell was on hand to capture Joe Haines of Wolverhampton Wolves on his way to victory...



Click HERE for more images from the 2010 British Under-21 Speedway Championship!

Lakeside Hammers recently welcomed back top rider Lee Richardson. He took up the No. 1 position for the first time in 2010 at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday, 13th May as the Hammers took on the Ipswich Witches.

The travelling fans couldn't have asked for a better start from Richardson as he rode to victory in the very first heat of the night (below). He contributed 11+1 points in a 50-43 win for the Hammers...



Click HERE for more images of speedway rider Lee Richardson!

Boxing came to a famous venue in East London last Saturday when a much-hyped fight between Kevin Mitchell and Michael Katsidis took place at Upton Park, home of West Ham United FC.

Mitchell sadly lost his fight to the powerful Australian. On the same night, Heavyweight stalwart Danny Williams lost his British title to Derek Chisora in round two and is now widely expected to retire.

Rob Newell was on hand for TGS to capture what may well be the end of Williams' fifteen year pro career...



Click HERE for more images from the boxing show at West Ham United FC!

The previous evening at Goresbrook had seen another Heavyweight contender make his mark. Hackney pugilist Larry Olubamiwo won his first belt, the Southern Area title, with a first round demolition of Colin Kenna.

Here 'The War Machine' shows his delight at the end of the fight...



Click HERE for more images of boxer Larry Olubamiwo!

Some rugby to finish. Barking RFC have enjoyed a successful 2009/10 campaign, culminating in the National League Division Two South Championship.

Barking clinched the title with a 96-14 win over Lydney at Goresbrook on Saturday, 17th April...



Click HERE for more images of Barking RFC vs Lydney RFC!

Looking to the future, here's a taste of what's coming up over the next few weeks...

22-05-10 - Essex Club Cricket
22-05-10 - Harold Wood Athletic vs Frenford Senior
23-05-10 - Essex CCC Women vs Worcestershire CCC Women
24-05-10 - Lakeside Hammers vs Wolverhampton Wolves
25-05-10 - Victoria Park Community Cricket League
28-05-10 - Lakeside Hammers vs Peterborough Panthers
29-05-10 - Essex Club Cricket
29-05-10 - Coca Cola League One Play-Off Final
30-05-10 - Coca Cola League Two Play-Off Final
31-05-10 - Essex CCC 2nd XI vs Kent CCC 2nd XI
01-06-10 - Victoria Park Community Cricket League
02-06-10 - Essex Eagles vs Kent Spitfires T20
03-06-10 - Peterborough Panthers vs Lakeside Hammers
04-06-10 - Lakeside Hammers vs Eastbourne Eagles
05-06-10 - Essex Club Cricket

All this and more at http://tgsphoto.co.uk

Labels: Boxing, Cricket, Football, Rugby, Speedway

Firstly, a very big THANK YOU to everyone that has registered as a fan of TGS on Facebook. Your support is very, very welcome and much, much appreciated.

We've hit 200 fans now and, in celebration, TGS is running a promotion until the end of February...



Simply enter the code 200FB10 at checkout to claim your discount. This offer is valid until 28th February 2010. The code will also work with our 'Personal Use Downloads' should you wish to enhance your own Facebook pages or your computer desktop with a digital image of yourself in action!

If you would like to pay a visit to our Facebook Fan Page, please follow this here linkety-link: http://tgsphoto.co.uk/facebook. The more fans the merrier!

While I'm passing through blog-land, it's time to catch up with some recent usages. Dagenham & Redbridge gained a vital win last Saturday over AFC Bournemouth at Victoria Road. Dave Simpson's image of Mark Arber's winning goal from the penalty spot made the Mail on Sunday and, below, Monday's edition of The Sun...



The recent inclement weather has certainly made a right old mess of the TGS diary. Far too many matches have been postponed but we're still trying to plan ahead. Here's what (should) be in store over the next few weeks...

16-02-10 AFC Hornchurch vs Tonbridge Angels
17-02-10 Bethnal Green United vs Barkingside
20-02-10 Rochdale vs Dagenham & Redbridge
20-02-10 West Ham United vs Hull City
20-02-10 Grimsby Town vs Lincoln City
20-02-10 Upminster HC 5th XI vs Romford HC 3rd XI
20-02-10 VCD Athletic vs Romford
21-02-10 Hackney & Leyton League
23-02-10 Aldershot Town vs Dagenham & Redbridge
23-02-10 AFC Hornchurch vs Canvey Island
24-02-10 Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers
24-02-10 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies vs Arsenal Ladies
26-02-10 Boxing at York Hall
27-02-10 Dagenham & Redbridge vs Grimsby Town
28-02-10 Hackney & Leyton League
02-03-10 Torquay United vs Dagenham & Redbridge
06-03-10 West Ham United vs Bolton Wanderers
06-03-10 Bury vs Dagenham & Redbridge
07-03-10 Hackney & Leyton League
08-03-10 Colchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
09-03-10 Dagenham & Redbridge vs Colchester United
13-03-10 Chelsea vs West Ham United
13-03-10 Dagenham & Redbridge vs Rotherham United
14-03-10 Hackney & Leyton League
14-03-10 Arsenal Ladies vs FCR 2001 Duisburg

We're always aiming to add additional coverage so keep an eye on our HOMEPAGE to keep fully up-to-date. Don't hesitate to CONTACT US to commission images from your event.

Before I go, here's a recent pic that I was quite pleased with. The exposure isn't perfect but the moment of impact of Steve Williams' right hook to the head of Michael Grant tells a story in itself. Williams went on to win the win the English Light-Welterweight Title at York Hall last Friday...



More from the excellent Matchroom boxing show can be seen here: http://bit.ly/aCSBaG

TTFN!

Labels: Boxing, Dagenham and Redbridge, Facebook, Fans, Football, Images, Promotion, Published, Special Offer

Frank Maloney put together a packed card of no fewer than 13 contests at the Brentwood Centre on Friday night. Maloney has a number of very exciting prospects on his books and the proceedings proved to be compelling throughout. I was ringside to capture the action for several clients.

In the most explosive bout of the evening, up-and-coming Flyweight Ashley Sexton entered the ring and went head-to-head with his fired-up opponent Usman Ahmed even before the first bell had sounded. Less than three minutes later, Sexton landed a stiff right to Ahmed's jaw and the fight was over, bagging the English title for the man from Cheshunt...



Frank Maloney was certainly pleased with Sexton's showing and posed for a quick picture at the end of the bout...



Hammersmith Super-Middleweight George Groves boasts an outstanding amateur record and had won his first seven professional bouts before Friday's outing. Here he waits in the neutral corner after sending his opponent, Bulgarian Gregor Sarohanian, to the canvas at the start of the third round, improving his record to 8(6)-0(0)-0...



EDIT: Indeed this was the image that the Hammersmith & Kensington Times used to illustrate the story of Groves' victory...



There was a cracking, old-fashioned ding-dong that would have graced any show between Harrow's Akaash Bhatia and West Ham's Mickey Coveney. In a six-rounder that could have gone either way, Bhatia triumphed after some good work in the later rounds...



Travis Dickinson found himself up against highly experienced campaigner Hastings Rasani in a Cruiserweight contest. Birtley's Dickinson showed that he has true potential as he overcame the Zimbabwean on points, landing some big shots in the process...



Hackney's Larry Olubamiwo sent out a strong message to the Heavyweight division with a very confident performance, despatching Scott Belshaw to the canvas four times in the first round. The fight was waved off and Larry now looks forward to some longer and higher profile encounters...



Brighton's Ben Murphy and Morden's Lee Cook put on an hugely entertaining show for the Southern Area Lightweight title. Murphy prevailed after ten intense rounds...



The main fight saw a controversial split-decision as Doncaster's Jamie McDonnell wrested the British Bantamweight Title from Hackney's Ian Napa. Many observers were convinced that Napa had done enough to retain his Lonsdale belt but the judges saw it differently and it was McDonnell that celebrated when the scorecards were read out...



EDIT: The Hackney Gazette ran with this image to illustrate their story by boxing writer Ken Selleck. Here's the tearsheet...



To round off this post, here's a general view of some Dickinson vs Rasani action taken with a Lensbaby. It's not something I pull out of the camera bag very often but it can give an interesting result from time to time...



For the full selection of images, all shot on Canon EOS 1D MkIII cameras, click here: http://bit.ly/8Ocieb

Labels: Boxing, Brentwood Centre, Frank Maloney, Ian Napa

Many folk (well, two) have asked me which sport I prefer to shoot above all others.

The answer to this question is certainly not straightforward as my passion for snapping sport covers many, many bases. However, if I was sat on a chair with the metaphorical gun to my temple, I am (pretty) sure I would utter the word 'Boxing'.

I'll be perfectly honest and admit that I'm not what you'd call a boxing aficionado. However, over the last few years I've learned more and more about the 'sweet science'... and the more I learn, the more I enjoy shooting it.

Being ringside for a fight with camera in hand is quite something. The first couple of times I had this privelege, I left the venue feeling like I'd been in a bout myself. Trying to match the timing of my shutter releases to the landing of the punches was impossibly difficult. I found myself ducking and diving, swerving and swaying to get the shot. That, and the sound of the crowd and the impact of the thwackery itself.

With increasing experience and knowledge of the pugilists, the 'hit'-rate gradually went up. Understanding the significance of a twitch of a shoulder and seeking out the combinations made for some interesting images...



Ian Napa defeats Carmelo Ballone to win the European EBU Bantamweight Boxing Title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, promoted by FTM Sports/Maloney Promotions

TV lighting is great from a snapper's viewpoint; consistent and bright enough for action-freezing shutter speeds. There are some issues with white balance, but nothing that a piece of white paper and a custom setting can't overcome.

I've covered a fair number of televised shows over the last few years but I still appreciate the challenge of a gloomy venue. Fortunately, flash is not out of bounds at boxing in the UK. It's not to say that whacking a big flash on your camera and popping away is going to make life particularly easy, but it can yield some nice results...



Debutant Tony Conquest makes a bit of a mess of Bobby Scott's face during a Light-Heavyweight boxing contest at York Hall, Bethnal Green, promoted by Miranda Carter/Left Jab Promotions

Boxing, by its very nature, lends itself to a certain amount of pain and injury. A bad cut can cause a fight to be stopped and plenty of invaluable work takes place in a fighter's corner between rounds to ensure the combatant can continue.

Here's a pic of Greg Barton shortly before the referee stopped his Middleweight fight with Darren Barker in the third round at York Hall, Bethnal Green back in 2007.



Mustn't forget the venues themselves. The Troxy in the heart of East London recently hosted the Flaming Lips in concert and it's also a boxing venue of note with art deco features and a fine atmosphere. OK, it's not York Hall (I'll come on to that subject at a later date) but worth a general view from the balcony methought...



General view of a boxing show at the Troxy, Limehouse, London, promoted by CityBoxer

..and how's about a 'decision' pic to finish. In a close fight there can be a huge outburst of emotion from the winning fighter and his supporters when the decision is announced...



Lenny Daws celebrates after defeating Barry Morrison in a Light-Welterweight boxing contest for the British Title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, promoted by Matchroom Sports

Plenty more to come on this subject! To see some more boxing pics, just follow this here LINKETY-LINK.

Labels: Boxing, Darren Barker, Ian Napa, Lenny Daws, Light, Troxy, TV