LAUNCESTON’S Callum Charnock became a two-time national champion on Sunday after defeating St Albans’ Christian Bozzia in the finals of the 2019 Amateur Boxing Alliance Junior Championships at the Hayes Working Mens Club in London.

Sixteen-year-old Callum had boxed his way past tough opposition to his first national title in the 2017 Alliance Schools Championships and during the course of this championship, Charnock had beaten very experienced campaigners in the quarters and semi-final to earn his place in this Class B (born in 2002) 60kg final against Bozzia (16) who had also beaten tough opposition in the quarters and semi-finals to get there.

The opening bell saw both boxers meet in the centre of the ring and the Launceston boxer adopted a ‘Make him miss and make him pay’ approach where he would lead off with a fast jab to draw a countering punch from the advancing Bozzia, which he would defend and then come back with fast left and right combinations. The tactic proved to be successful with Charnock scoring well and managing to catch the majority of Bozzia’s work on his arms and gloves.

The second-round saw the Launceston boxer up the tempo leading off with faster jabs and again adopt the same tactics. The St Albans boxer would not be denied and fought back hard to close down the range unleashing two-fisted flurries. Charnock’s defence remained sound, preventing the majority of punches from finding any targets and continued to score well with his fast, accurate and eye-catching countering straight rights and left hooks to the head.

The third and final round saw Bozzia throw caution to the wind and come out with all guns blazing, rushing forward with non-stop punching. The Launceston boxer’s fitness and defences were tested to the limit with Bozzia now having more success, working well to the body and head.

Charnock battled hard, calling upon all his skills to defend against the unrelenting attacks and having the odd success of his own. The final bell concluded a thrilling end and a much stronger round for Bozzia and so the result was left in the hands of the three judges.

However, Charnock’s hand was raised as the winner and 2019 Junior Champion with a majority points decision.

Charnock’s coach and father, Des Charnock, said: “It was a fantastic display of speed, skill, courage and determination from both boxers and we are massively proud of Callum and his achievements both in and out of the boxing ring.”

It’s been a tremendous year for the club with Charnock adding a fourth national title to their credit to go alongside the efforts of Carrie Genini (54kg Novice champion), 11-year-old Billy Jago (36kg Minors champion) and 13-year-old Tyler Gregory (36kg Schools champion).

The Launceston Boxers can be seen in action at their upcoming home show on Saturday, April 13, in the Eagle House Hotel featuring at least 15 of the club’s boxers including all of the champions.