BOXING: Elliot too good for Parker as he books place in final

Elliot defeated the Doncaster Plant scrapper in a middleweight clash over three two-minute rounds at Doncaster Dome.

It was a comprehensive unanimous points victory, with Elliot taking the initiative from the opening bell.

He produced a solid start on the front foot with eye-catching hooks off a solid jab.

A tight second round kept the bout competitively close, but Elliot stepped it up with a powerful start to the third as he put the hometown lad down with terrific straight right hand.

Parker recovered, but Elliot continually pushed on and dominated the closing stages to record a fine victory

“This was very satisfying for all concerned,” said Kings Heath head coach Arthur 
Daly.

“Adam has had to overcome some personal problems in the run up to this, but he is without doubt a very determined individual who has continually shone in each of the bouts leading up to this.

“He has been tested with tough opponents throughout and we are now optimistic for the final against Jeremy Achong, from Kent, and will prepare methodically for it.”

Elliot’s win capped a good week for the club, with Eithan James picking up Northampton’s young sportsman of the year, with Kings Heath’s Daly also collecting coach of the year.

Drew delivers in Birmingham to boost his record

Northampton middleweight Drew Brown extended his unbeaten record in Birmingham.

The 20-year-old picked up a chest infection in the countdown to his fight with Danny Little at Villa Park – and was coughing in his changing room just minutes before the opening.

Despite that, Brown went on to dominate Little, winning every round on the referee’s scorecard.

“Drew boxed very well,” said coach John Daly. “I was very happy with him.

“Nobody would have known he had a cold. He just got on with it.

“He’s listening, doing the right things and improving.”

Daly described Little as “a strong come forward fighter,” but he never got close to Brown.

From the start, Brown got Little on the end of his jab – and kept him there until the final bell.

Brown put his punches together smoothly and had Little in trouble early in the third with a two-fisted salvo to body and head that knocked him into the ropes.

Little had to grab to get through the crisis and Brown went on to win a quieter last round.

Brown, who thanked sponsors A1 Couriers, said: “I know I’m not going to stop opponents like that, but I won every round and felt good in there.”