Alex boxes like his father

In the Seventies, the Ragonesi brothers – led by crowd-pleasing pro Eric – were at the vanguard of Shropshire boxing. Now it's the new generation's turn to cause a stir.

At Birmingham's St Francis Community Centre, 19-year-old light-welter Alex Ragonesi showed plenty of power as he pushed former foe Frank Taylor all the way in a bruising scrap.

More experienced Taylor (Newark) had beaten the Donnington livewire before, but this time showed more caution and scraped home on a majority decision.

Like his father Eric, Alex can punch with either hand and unloaded heavy ammo. Taylor showed cunning to tie his opponent up and look to land with light shots. The three rounder was desperately close and a third meeting between the two would prove interesting.

The bout did underline the progress made by Alex this season.

On the same bill, James Ragonesi kept his boxing together to soundly outpoint tall, awkward A Najeeb (St Francis) at featherweight.

Najeeb, long-armed and unorthodox, tried to steal points from distance, but 17-year-old James showed a tight defence and landed telling shots. He won by an unanimous decision.

Donnington light-welter Oliver Rimmer paid the price for inexplicably 'switching of' in the second round against S. Hussain.

Oliver, 17, boxed neatly in the first, but allowed Hussain (St Francis) to grab the initiative in the second. Even a storming last round couldn't save the decision for Oliver.

Topping the bill at Drayton Manor Park, tough Donnington light-middle Miles Lerwill – son of former pro Mickey – returned after a lengthy layoff caused by a broken nose to push Tamworth puncher Tom Walker all the way.

It was a bout marred by controvery with Miles' corner convinced the fight was scheduled for four rounds. Miles, 21, was set to come out for the final session when informed the bout was over.

Frustratingly, Lerwill had dominated the third. Donnington coach Brian Davies said: "Miles was behind after two rounds, but had a big third and we were sure he'd pull things back."

It will go down as a points defeat, but Miles boxed better than he has for some time.

After three straight wins, Donnington middle Jordan Hanson lost his unbeaten record to Paul Withers (Tamworth).

Withers used his edge in experience to nick sessions against the 18-year-old. Hanson, however, played his part in a cracking contest.

By MIKE LOCKLEY