Tab Simamanie gains valuable experience in Spain

TAB Simamanie believes he gained valuable experience in Spain after giving Olympic light- welterweight qualifier Jonathan Alonso all he could handle in two bouts in as many days.

The Guisborough fighter boxed the Spanish no 1 twice in 48 hours in Asturias as part of a Tyne, Tees and Wear team which faced members of the Spanish national squad.

And although he lost two close points decisions – the second controversially – Phil Thomas School of Boxing’s Simamanie felt his performances and the way he handled the occasion against the home favourite showed he is moving in the right direction.

“it was a brilliant experience – he was their local hero and there were posters of him everywhere in the streets,” said the South Africa-born 22-year-old.

“Even the staff at McDonald’s in Asturias knew I was out there to box him when we went for a coffee.

“and one of the fights was in a 5,000-seater stadium, which must have been half-full.

“I didn’t have a complaint with the first one, I thought it was tight and wasn’t expecting to get a win out there if it was close.

Tab Simamanie gains valuable experience in Spain