Boxing: Shahruf Ali beats Barney Stokes to become North West Region 44KG Open Class Junior Champion

Shahruf Ali, North West Region, 44KG Open Class Junior Champion, with his coaches

Shahruf Ali, of Hamer Amateur Boxing Club, beat Barney Stokes, of Sandygate ABC, the two time National Champion and a Tri-Nation's gold medalist, to become the North West Region, 44KG Open Class Junior Champion on Sunday (5 March).

When the two boxers met in the middle of the ring it was quite noticeable that Stokes had a significant height and reach advantage, yet the significance and the occasion didn't faze Ali and when the bell rang for the first round he showed his intentions by immediately taking the fight to his more experienced opponent.

Stokes backed off onto the ropes with his hands down by his side, looking to set traps for the Hamer youngster while Ali cautiously moved forward.

Stokes looked to land pot-shots that he hoped would impress the judges, while Ali worked him to the ropes to unload fast and furious hooks to both the body and head, to take the round.

It was an incredible first round for the Hamer youngster and his coach Steven Connellan told him to continue with the tactics worked on in the gym, by giving Stokes no room to offload his punches and to keep his guard up to block fast counter-punches.

The bell rang for round two and Stokes continued to back-off and wait for Ali to throw his punches before countering with his own. On occasion the Hamer boxer was out of range with his shots, yet all Stokes could do was hold on to his aggressive opponent while Ali continued to unload fast punches to the body and head to take the round.

At the start of the third and last round Stokes began to show his talent by moving on swift feet and using fast combinations but it wasn't long before the Hamer power-house began to take the fight away from his tired opponent as he continued to land telling punches.

Ali took the round and the contest by unanimous decision to become the North West Region, 44KG Open Class Junior Champion.

Hamer coach Steven Connellan said: "Shahruf had two terrific and impressive contests to stop his first opponent and then to go on and beat last year's National Champion.

“We are very proud of him but know we must not be complacent going into the next round, which is only next week in Tyne, Tees & Wear, along with another Hamer hopeful in Grant Kershaw who received a bye in the last round.”