Dudley fighter's Junior journey ends in loss

Mohammed Hussain's remarkable rise to the national final of the England Junior Championship fell at the last with a unanimous points loss.

The 15-year-old, representing Lions Boxing Club in Dudley, had never boxed in competitive bouts before the tournament began.

But he fell at the last hurdle yesterday afternoon after stepping through the ropes at 50kg in Class B, for boxers born in 1998.

There was everything to fight for in the decider at the TA Centre in London and Hussain came out like a house on fire in the first round.

It was two stylists tried to outsmart each other as he went toe-to-toe with opponent Michael Chalk, but it was Hussain who faded as time wore on.

Chalk, from Guildford, dragged him into the trenches from the second and had the stomach for the scrap, while retaining his level of skill.

Hussain stepped up to the plate as they swapped leather towards the end but both showed restraint, the bout going to the cards after a cagey bout.

Trainer John Shakespeare said: "Mo boxed well, in competition boxing he's been a revelation so far and he will only learn as he gets more experience.

"We are proud of how he's coming on and the annoying thing is I know he could have done better, but he certainly didn't look out of place.

"We will go back into the gym, work on where we can improve and come back strong again next year. There's plenty to look forward to."