LAUNCESTON Amateur Boxing Club’s Billy Jago and Tyler Gregory have won gold at the Amateur Boxing Alliance’s National Minors and Schools Championships Finals at the Springwest Academy in Feltham, London over the weekend.

The competition saw 40 contests staged over the two days with both boxers competing on Sunday.

Eleven-year-old Billy was first to get into the ring as he squared up to George Foy (11) from the Kemsing club in Kent in a bid to be crowned the Amateur Boxing Alliance’s National Minors champion at 36kg for 2019.

From the opening bell, Billy took control over the centre of the ring, unleashing a barrage of shots to the head and body of the southpaw. George battled back hard but struggled to live with the fast starting Launceston boy and found himself continuously pinned on the ropes.

The second round saw Billy continue where he had left off with his unrelenting two-fisted attack connecting with solid right-hand leads and left hooks. Again, the Kemsing boxer battled back hard and had some successes of his own, but could not live with Billy’s fierce and unrelenting work-rate.

The third and final 90-second round saw the Launceston boxer bite down hard on his gum shield and give everything that he had left to ensure the victory. As per the previous two rounds, and a credit to his fitness, Billy maintained his work-rate and two-fisted attacks to the final bell. Following the collection of the scorecards from the three judges, the referee raised Billy’s hand as the winner.

Club mate Tyler Gregory (13) was next up for Launceston in a Class Two Schools finals against Nikko Ellus (13) from the Bromley and Downham club in Kent with the bout again held over three 90-second rounds.

Preparations for Tyler had been difficult following the passing of his grandmother.

However, Tyler bravely chose to continue in his training and preparation for these finals and dedicate his performance to her.

The first bell sounded and the Launceston boxer immediately got down to business, connecting with accurate jabs from the centre of the ring and utilising good footwork to avoid the counter attacks. The Bromley boxer was having none of it and unleashed several two-fisted attacks. But Tyler’s footwork and accuracy kept him the driving seat throughout the first round.

The second stanza saw Tyler use more of his boxing skills, leading with a fast accurate jab, stepping back and unleashing a thunderous straight right to the head of Nikko who would not be denied and tried to force the pace in an effort to catch up with the Launceston boxer who was now outscoring his opponent.

The third and final round saw both boxers continue where they left off in the previous round with the Bromley boy forcing the pace and Tyler connecting with more eye-catching right-hand and left hook combinations. The Cornish boy dug very deep and kept his boxing together to the final bell, to leave it all in the hands of the judges to decide as to who was the winner.

Again it was a Launceston boxer who was victorious, as Tyler was crowned the Amateur Boxing Alliance’s Class Two Schools national champion at 36kg.

Trainer Des Charnock was delighted with their work.

He said: “A massive well done to both youngsters who have both done Launceston proud. Both were extremely nervous on the day but both showed supreme courage and boy did they deliver!

“I am so proud of them and there is so much more to come from them in the near future.”