LAUNCESTON boxer James Hobson (15) started the season off for the club in good fashion when he boxed in the National Junior Novice Championships on Sunday October 4 in Plymouth

Three boxers turned up in order to box off for the Western Counties title, this meant that one boxer would have to box twice on the same day. The first bout was drawn which saw James having to box Luke Cooper (15) from the Oakmead ABC in Bournemouth.

From the opening bell, the Launceston boy took control over the centre of the ring unleashing some very hard and fast jabs to the head of Luke who found himself retreating to the ropes. Luke was no mug, having only lost once in six contests and came back quicker but James's defence and footwork made it very difficult for him to find the target. The Launceston boxer picked out some thunderous body shots in a bid to slow the Bournemouth boy down and finished the round in control.

The next round saw the Launceston boy pick up from where he left off, connecting with very heavy handed punches to the body and head, taking very little in return. The Bournemouth boxer battled hard to try and gain the upper hand but to no avail with James now landing clean right uppercuts to the chin and straight lefts to the head and again finishing the round ahead on points.

The Bournemouth boy had it all to do in the third and final round and set off to put the pressure on James but the Launceston boy was having none of it and stepped up another gear to make sure of the win connecting with very clean scoring shots to the final bell. James was announced a unanimous points winner and he progressed to the next contest.

After a couple of hours rest, James was back in the ring facing Jake Chislett (15) from the Dorchester ABC to contest the Western Counties title.

From the opening bell, the taller Dorchester boy who was fresh decided to put as much pressure on the Launceston boy knowing he had already had a hard fought contest and threw as many punches as he could, to try and overwhelm or tire him out. James was ready and used a sound defence and clever footwork to make most of the swings miss.

The Launceston boy stuck to his boxing and refusing to be dominated, started to connect with good straight shots of his own. The bell came to end the first round with the scoreline being fairly close.

The second round was as the first with James still landing the 'eye catching' punches and the Dorchester boy now running out of steam. The bell sounded to end the round with the scoreline still being very close.

The third round saw the Launceston boxer elect to put the pressure on the Dorchester boy unleashing a three punch combination and connecting with all three forcing Jake onto the back foot. Credit to James's fitness, he maintained the pressure throughout the final round connecting with uppercuts, hooks and straight rights to body and head. The Launceston boxer dug deep and put everything in to ensure the win and the final bell ended a very hard fought contest.

The results were read out and James was declared a unanimous points winner and the Western Counties 60-63kg Champion.

The Launceston boxer now progresses to the National Quarter finals on November 1 at Bristol where he will face the Home Counties Champion. Two of Launceston's senior boxers will be making their bids to be a champion the day before at Barnstaple. Light welter Jordan Platt and light heavy Ross Chard will both have to box twice on the Barnstaple show on October 31.