Jack's looking champion

The 16-year-old has become the Midlands Junior Novice ABA champion at 57-60kgs, and faces a national quarter-final tomorrow.

He will take on Preston and Fulwood ABC's Ali Mahmood in Chesterfield while, on the same bill, Shrewsbury ABC's Dan Cartwright takes on Bury's Omar Haque at the same stage in the 60-63kgs.

Roberts became Midlands champion with an impressive success over Birmingham City's Ali Khalil at Coventry on Sunday.

"I was a bit worried before the fight because Jack also plays football and picked up a back injury which forced him to miss a lot of training," said trainer Colin Hough.

"And I know that boxers from the Birmingham City club are always well schooled so I thought we could be up against it."

Hough's fears, however, were mis-placed as Roberts dominated the contest and ran out a comfortable unanimous points winner.

"Jack boxed really well," added Hough.

"Khalil was tall and rangy but Jack boxed well off the left hand throughout the three rounds.

"It's give the whole club a lift and we are looking forward to tomorrow."

Roberts' victory made it two wins inside 48 hours for Shrewsbury & Severnside after 12-year-old Sonny Jones ran out an impressive winner against Billy Johnson, of the Stoke-based Queensberry club at Winsford.

"In the first round, Sonny was presenting himself as a target. I told him what he needed to do at the end of the first round and he carried the instructions out perfectly to win on a wide unanimous decision.

"It's very rewarding for me when a lad that ages listens and carries out the instructions."

By JAMES GARRISON