Wolverhampton still duo fighting to advance

The trio claimed West Midlands titles in the competition last weekend and went through to the national stages, writes Craig Birch.

Now comes the national pre quarter-finals on Merseyside tomorrow afternoon, at the fight venue of the Croxteth Sports Centre in Liverpool.

One of two sections features the juniors, all entrants of between two to 10 bouts of experience, separated into two age ranges. Class A is for boxers born in 2001, while Class B is for 2000.

Receiving another bye is Priory Park's Josh Jeavons at 70kg in Class A but William Evans, from Willenhall Town, competes at 57kg against West Wirral's Anthony Atherton-West.

Kane Woods, from Wildstar in Walsall, walks over at 63kg in Class B, where Wolverhampton Boxing Club's Ryan Cotterell takes on Kirkby's Edward Maker at 80kg.

Callum Darby, of Lions in Dudley, bowed out in the area finals, unanimously on points to Stratford's Jason Johnson at 57kg in Class B.

Priory Park's Brad Willetts lost on a split decision at the same stage to Aston's Michael Beardshaw and also in Class B, figuring at 70kg.

Ruby Scott, from the Right Stuff in Stafford, won't figure on the female side of the juniors at 57kg in Class A until the national semi-finals.

The seniors, for boxers aged 17 and upwards, is divided into two classes by experience. Class A is for 2-10 bouts, with Class B 11-20 contests.

McKenzie Stevens, from Brooklands in Dudley, features at 81kg in Class A tomorrow against Knowsley Vale's David Maudsley.

A 91kg heavyweight bout also awaits Stewart, from Firewalker, against South Cheshire's Josh Flood. He outpointed Matthew Archer, of Clearys in Leamington Spa, unanimously last weekend.

Wolverhampton's Bricknell, who now represents the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, tackles Wirral's Jay Holmes at 64kg in Class B.

Bricknell forced his opponent's corner to throw the towel in during their area decider, scoring a second round knockout.

He loaded up a three-punch combination of hooks that landed flush on Nathan McFarlane, from Len Woodhall Community Club in Telford, whose chin was dangerously in the air.

Down he went to the canvas and, while still dazed, he gamely climbed back to his feet while hurt. Bricknell resumed his onslaught until stopped.

Nathan Samuels, from Merridale in Wolverhampton, bowed out at 69kg featuring at the same stage, on a split to Aston's Carl Waldron.

Lions' Robert Thoane is preparing for action in Croxteth, where he'll go toe-to-toe with Birkenhead Venture's Anthony Baker at 75kg.

Warley's Coree Clarke, now a senior after reaching a national final and winning the gold medal at the Three Nations as a Youth fighter, has a bye in the 91kg heavyweight division.

Walsall Wood's Kelly Hickenbottom has a long wait to box a straight final in the female seniors at 57kg, with only one other entrant at the weight nationwide.

Club-mate Emiliane Pugeat will meet Priory Park's Paige Dudley in a 64kg Class A quarter-final where another Wood girl, Omarah Taylor, has been paired with Aston's Elina Ingram at 75kg.