Tough times for Shropshire's schoolboy boxers

Shropshire's chances of producing a national schoolboy boxing champion have been halved after three fighters from Donnington - the only Shropshire club in the competition - tumbled from the title race.

The good news, however, is that southpaw Akash Tuqir has already been crowned Midland titleholder due to a low turnout locally in the class one under 32 kilo category.

The 12-year-old southpaw out-pointed Walsall Wood's tough Rob Layton at Wolverhampton to gain the silverware.

Akash again abandoned his skills to battle toe-to-toe with Layton and had to ship some rattling shots. He had the edge throughout though and will now go forward to the national quarter-finals.

On the same bill, fast-improving Elijah Everill booked his place in the class one under 44 kilos Midlands final by out-pointing Liam Gould (William Perry).

Elijah, 12, kept things at distance, picking up points behind long punches.

At Coventry's Triumph Club, J. J. Hughes - shock conqueror of Midland champ James Beech in the prelim round - was brought back down to earth by Levi Chandler in the class two under 40 kilo class.

But the 13-year-old, who had won only one of his three career bouts, can take plenty of positives from the display against Chandler (Capitol, Coventry).

Chandler, with 23 fights under his belt, was made to fight all the way by determined J. J. And there were signs Hughes' fighting spirit would prevail when he pushed forward in the second. Chandler, however, regained control and took the points decision.

In class two under 46 kilos, Macauley Owen also went down with guns blazing against Daniel Buxton (Stoke YMC). The 13-year-old fought his heart out against the Potteries puncher .

Donnington boss Brian Davies said: "They lost, but both were tremendous. They did us proud."

Reigning national champ, and European bronze medalist, Liam Davies received a bye to the Midland final after the 14-year-old's opponent weighed-in well over the 42 kilo limit.

An unlucky break put paid to Abdul Sultan's championship hopes. The 12-year-old suffered a fractured arm in a cycling accident on the eve of the Coventry show.

By MIKE LOCKLEY