LUKE Saunders and Alfie Price slammed a double for West Ham BC, turning back the challenges of top-class northern rivals, when the NACYP National Boys Clubs’ finals were decided at Portsmouth at the weekend.
The Class A pair rose to the occasion, with Saunders looking one of the classiest boxers on view at the finals as he defeated Kirkby boxer Mike Joynson, an outstanding fighter with just a single previous loss on his record.
The Merseysider piled on the pressure, but was caught repeatedly as Saunders found the target with effective counter-punches and took their 63kg clash by 26-17 points.
Price was put to the test by north-eastern rival Josh Kelly, who edged ahead in the opening round of their closely-fought bout.
However, the Hammers hope piled on the punches in a determined rally to turn the tables in a thrilling finale and clinched the 57kg title by a 16-15 margin.
But, their was final disappointment for the Smith boys, with Chris and Jimmy both losing verdicts.
Chris Smith was outpointed in his Class B 63kg final by Yorshire’s Darren Tetley from Bradford’s Platinum BC in a keenly-fought clash.
Multi-titled Jack Massey, from Manchester’s Northside BC, supplied a tough Class B 80kg test for Jimmy Smith and, although the West Ham entry battled all the way, he lost the verdict by a 13-5 margin.
There was also a final setback for Khalid Miah (West Ham), who suffered a 19-14 Class A 66kg final defeat against Chris Loftus (Burmantofts).
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