LAUNCESTON Amateur Boxing Club brothers Brandon and Callum Charnock competed in the latter stages of the 2019 Amateur Boxing Alliance Junior Championships at the Hayes Working Men’s Club in London on Sunday, March 10.

The duo were to face tough opposition from around the country in contests comprising of three two-minute rounds with the quarter-finals being staged first and the winners to box in the last four later in the day.

Sixteen-year-old Callum, who competed in the Class B (born 2002) 60kg competition, was first up in his quarter-final clash where he squared up to the very experienced Lennon Swords (16) from the Marston Club in Kent.

The opening bell saw the Launceston boxer exhibit a supreme display of speed and skills — connecting with very accurate long-range jabs and straight rights followed up by solid hooks to the body and head. Swords struggled to find any targets to hit due to Charnock’s speed and movement.

The final bell saw the Launceston boxer’s hand raised as the winner with a unanimous points decision and progress into the last four.

Younger brother Brandon (15), competed in the Class A (born 2003) 52kg category where he was drawn against Ronnie Gillett from the Tottenham and Enfield Amateur Boxing Club in London in the semi-final

This contest proved to be a very close affair with both boxers battling hard for the win. Gillett pushed forward with his two-fisted attacks whilst the Launceston boxer was as elusive as ever and countering well with straight right hands and left hooks to the head. The final bell saw the contest too close to call with the decision being left in the hands of the three judges. Gillett’s hand was raised as the winner with a majority points decision and so brought Charnock’s bid for the national title to an end.

Callum found himself on bout number 27 and last of the day for his semi-final against another experienced boxer, Charlie Hudson (16) from the Eltham club in London. This contest was a contrast to the first with a very strong Charlie attempting to use rough house tactics to upset the Launceston boxer’s smooth boxing rhythm. Callum wasn’t fazed and stuck to his gameplan — connecting with fast accurate straight shots and clever defensive footwork.

This was a much closer affair than the first contest with both boxers adopting a refuse to lose mentality and both digging in to the final bell.

Again, the result was in the hands of the judges and Charnock’s hand was raised as the winner and progresses into the National finals which take place next Sunday.

Coach and father of the two boys, Des Charnock, was mighty proud of their performances while Callum was hailed as ‘Boxer of the Day’ by the officials and his peers.

Two of Launceston’s boxers are in action this weekend at Smelters Boxing Gym’s latest show at Shirehampton Public Hall in Bristol.

12-year-old Alfie Rowland will compete in his first competitive contest while Brandon Charnock will also be out again on the same show alongside his club mate and will also face a boxer from the home club.

To find out more about the club, search ‘Launceston Amateur Boxing Club’ on Facebook or email [email protected]