Lloyd Ransome again makes the semi-finals
Super heavyweight Lloyd Ransome has made it to the national semi-finals of the England Development competition for a second year.
Ransome reached the last four of what was the ABA Novice tournament 12 months ago and could do better without the head-guard this time,
He's joined in the next round by Rugeley Police club-mate Steven Smith, who walked over after his opponent, Stamford's Craig Brewin, pulled out injured on the eve of Saturday's contest.
Smith also sat out the West Midlands final when his opponent Stuart Blairs came in overweight at 69kg in Class B, for boxers who have had 11 to 20 bouts.
Ransome stepped through the ropes at over 91kg in Class A, for boxers who have had two to 10 fights, at Gresley Old Hall in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.
The 24-year-old punching physiotherapist was up against a behemoth in Sebastian Brown, from Far Cotton in Northampton.
But Brown went crashing down from a right uppercut in the first round, although he soon recovered and regained his senses.
He couldn't get close to Ransome, though, who was consistently streets ahead to score a unanimous points victory. Brown only picked up a share of one round from all three judges.
Rugeley trainer Ian Lear said: "Lloyd outclassed the lad, really, he was very fast on his feet for such a big man but he couldn't lay a glove on him.
"He beat him to the jab and punch, worked quickly in and out, and stuck to his strengths. Speed and skill is his game.
"He's not a massive puncher or a big super heavy, to be honest. He came in at 92kg whereas most of the lads come in at 100kg plus.
"We may get him down to heavyweight next season and a national title would be a great way to go out. This could be his year.
"The kid who beat him last time, Luke Watkins, has turned pro now so obviously was a really good amateur. There was no shame in that."
Walsall Wood's Troy Hall featured at heavyweight (91kg) in Class A but was defeated, Christian Webbe winning twice in a weekend.
Earl Shilton's Webbe had beat Saleem Naseer in a box-off just to earn the right to meet Hall, a tall and rangy operator.
He tried to keep the short and stocky Webbe on the end of a jab and negate his power, but the big puncher slithered underneath to land the cleaner punches.
A similar story over the four rounds left Hall well beaten, Webbe's gruelling effort propelling him through pre-quarter and quarter-finals.
Wolverhampton's Clayton Bricknell was edged out at 69kg after a close-run affair with Samuel Patchitt, from Trinity in Ilkeston.
A majority decision went the other way after a competitive bout as the journey of Bricknell, boxing in the competition for a fourth time, ended at the first national stage.
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