Benjamin Whittaker wins in England Youth

Benjamin Whittaker was the successful Black Country fighter in the England Youth Championships after a victory in the national pre-quarter finals.

The Wodensborough Boxing Club combatant and reigning National Ambition champion produced a third straight unanimous points win in the competition.

Sunday's victory came at 69kg in Class A - for boxers born in 1997 - at the expense of the awkward southpaw William Potter, from Hook & Jab in Warrington.

The 16-year-old mixed it up with a capable and powerful brawler, displaying grit to shake off a booming right hand over the top in the third to still win the round.

Faluk Hussain, from Windmill in Smethwick, was up against it tackling England No 1 Andrew Caine, from Everton Red Triangle, in his first competition run out.

The two 49kg combatants clashed at the lowest weight in Class B, for fighters born in 1997, with Hussain beaten unanimously beaten despite a valiant effort.

Connor Jones, from Lions in Dudley, saw his hopes of a second straight national title in the competition come to an end with a majority points loss.

He boxed at 56kg in Class B, and couldn't the accuracy needed to catch slippery southpaw Peter McGrail, from Everton Red Triangle, at will over the three rounds.

James Beech, from Pleck BC in Walsall, progressed to this weekend's quarter-finals at 56kg in Class A without boxing, as there was no other divisional entrant at the weight.