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Mitchell Stevens gets ready to rejoin the Elite

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Kingswinford's Mitchell Stevens has been told the sky's the limit as he goes forward with the UniBox Midlands light welterweight title.

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That's the view of former English champion Darren McDermott, his coach at the Brooklands Boxing Club run from his home in Sedgley,

writes Craig Birch.

McDermott, who built his own gym in the back garden while he was still a professional, watched the 21-year-old scaffolder box to glory from ringside two weeks ago.

Stevens, who has amassed 23 wins from 35 unpaid bouts, defeated Liam Beresford unanimously on points at the De Montfort Sports Centre in Evesham.

He also won a West Midlands title in the England Elite national competition earlier this year, surpassing McDermott's best run in the old senior ABAs 11 years ago.

'The Black Country Bodysnatcher' turned pro soon after and is expecting Stevens to do the same - but not until he's achieved all he can in the amateur ranks.

Former professional and trainer Darren McDermott gives Mitchell Stevens advice in the corner on fight night.

McDermott said: "If he can stay motivated and switched on, he's got a chance of going far again in the Elite, having already beaten what I did.

"He will be a good pro, one day, but I think that's a bit further down the line for him. There's still things he needs to work on in the ring, like starting a bit quicker.

"He's got a great engine and there's nobody he fears, those are his strengths. And there's nothing wrong with his game that we can't work on.

"He's a grafter in the gym and as long as keeps listening, he will only get better."

After his trademark lethargic start, Stevens sprung into action to rip the belt from the grasp of Beresford, representing Impact in Stoke-on-Trent.

He had absorbed a big right hook but, come the second round, Stevens stepped it up and pushed Beresford onto the back-foot.

With the fighters tied on the cards, both threw the kitchen sink at each other trying to make sure of victory in a war of a final session.

Stevens managed to outwork his opponent and take home the belt, which he will look to defend for the first time in the New Year.

McDermott said: "This was a tough fight for Mitchell but he came through it, although he made life hard for himself by losing the first round.

"We have talked about that but he's a fit lad, which the other kid couldn't really match in the last round. He was tired by the end."