Akash turns on style to make ABA finals

Shropshire pint-sized puncher Akash Tuqir has battled his way to the final of the national ABA schoolboy championships.

And the 12-year-old did it in style, comprehensively beating Luke Towler (South Durham) 13-5 at Everton Park Leisure Centre on Sunday.

It's the third year running Donnington boxing club has a fighter through to the finals.

But Donnington backroom staff left Sunday's semi-finals with mixed feelings after reigning champ Liam Davies and Elijah Everill both tasted defeat.

It is now left to southpaw Akash alone to fly the flag for Shropshire. He towered over Towler and used height and reach advantage to good effect, repeatedly spearing the Durham boxer.

Towler tried to turn the tide, but simply had no answers to Akash's accuracy and reflexes.

The Donnigton fighter now faces Repton's Levi Coates in the Class 1 under 32 kilos final, held in Manchester on either March 5 or 6.

It's a tough task, but Akash has the tools to bring yet another major title back to the Donnington gym.

Liam Davies, 14, went down guns-blazing against Andrew Caine (Everton Red Triangle) in a thrilling clash at under 42 kilos (Class 3).

Gutted

Caine won on a landslide, according to the computers - 25-12, but those statistics don't tell the full story.

Liam, last year's European bronze medallist, played matador as stocky Caine bulled forward, looking to land body punches.

There's no doubt the Liverpudlian raised his game in the last to pull clear.

Donnington boss Brian Davies said: "I thought Liam was catching a lot of shots on the arms, but they counted with the judges.

"He's gutted, but it's not the end of the world. Liam will come again - there's no doubt about that."

Elijah Everill tasted defeat for the first time after a seven bout winning streak, losing 12-6 to Freddie Young (Birkenhead).

Elijah, aged 12, trailed by a single point after the opening session and was 5-2 in arreas going into the last.

He fought well, but found it difficult to get to grips with a stronger opponent throughout the Class 1 under 44 kilos clash.