Home challenge goes on for Donnington

Porter boxed twice in two days after his competition debut and won them both to secure himself a place in the area semi-finals.

The 24-year-old will now take his place among the contenders when the tournament resumes on Sunday, writes Craig Birch.

The light welterweight represents Donnington Boxing Club, who will host the event to the culmination of the West Midlands finals next weekend.

Porter has extended his unpaid record to seven victories and one defeat going into his next battle. The venue will again be Donnington Sports & Social Club on Turreff Avenue, Telford.

His first foray came at 64kg in the seniors, for boxers aged 17 and upwards and divided in two classes by experience and weights.

Class A is for 2-10 bouts and Class B 11-20 contests with Porter paired to take on Jake Ash, from Rugeley Police, in the former section.

He secured his progress in style with a third round stoppage over Ash, who was handed three standing counts, on the Saturday.

Porter couldn't miss with the right hand over the top, with Ashe tagged and twice allowed to continue before the referee pulled him out.

A box-off was required on the Sunday just to reach the area's last four at the weight, with Porter tackling Redditch's Leo Fanthome at the same venue.

Three competitive two minute rounds ensued before the cards were called into play, with Porter's hand raised on a points split decision.

He will next go toe-to-toe with Cole Johnson, from Orme in Newcastle-under-Lyme, for a place in the West Midlands final.

Misfortune befell Donnington club-mate Chris Blase, from Market Drayton, in Class A at 69kg when blood was shed in the third round.

Blase, 29, was battling with Yusuf Abdallah, of South Wye in Hereford, when he was cut through a clash of heads and conceded the bout through injury.

Another Shropshire fighter involved in the seniors is Nathan McFarlane, who a bye through to the Class B 64kg West Midlands final.

McFarlane, from Len Woodhall's Community Club in Madeley, Telford, will clash with Clayton Bricknell, of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

Wellington Boxing Academy's Saqub Shafiq will definitely be a part of the national stages in the juniors, walking over the area rounds without competing. He's at 52kg in Class A.

The juniors, all featuring entrants of between two to 10 bouts of experience, is separated into two age ranges by weight. Class A is for boxers born in 2001, while Class B is for 2000.

Spectators are invited to Sunday's boxing at Donnington. Entry is £10 for adults and £5 for children and concessions, payable on the door.

The fighters will weigh in between 10am and 12pm, when doors then opening to the public ahead of a 1pm start.

Donnington are also looking for sponsors to get involved with the club. For more information, call head coach Tristan Davies on 07966 291 776.