BOXING: Kings Heath boxer Elliot claims national title

Elliot earned third round TKO victory against against unbeaten Ashbourne fighter James Achongo with a quality performance in a worthy final.

And Kings Heath head coach Arthur Daly said: “We had worked hard during the run up on specific tactics and Adam delivered to a tee.

“But full credit to his opponent, who was a fine operator and made this an exciting bout.

“Ironically Adam was rejected by another club for whatever reasons, but he has proved with hard work and dedication what you can achieve.

“He has been a pleasure to work alongside and he is now a national champion.

“Adam has given the club the last piece of the jigsaw regarding national titles.

“This was one that had eluded us twice before in finals, but we are very proud of the fact that over a period of time we have now secured every national title available.

“That is credit to a hard working close-knit team at Kings Heath.”

Kieron Conway was backed to end years of hurt for Northampton fighters after deciding to punch for pay.

The town has never produced a British champion and according to Matthew Macklin, Conway can change that.

Macklin this week added the 20 year old welterweight to his growing stable of fighters.

Conway agreed a three-year deal with the MGM set up after impressing during sparring sessions at his Solihull gym.

Macklin was also at ringside for Conway’s last amateur bout, a points win over Mitchell Stevens (Brooklands) on Kings Heath’s show at the County Ground earlier this month.

Macklin, who challenged for world honours three times in his ring career, expects Conway to make his professional debut next January and said: “Kieron is definitely a talent.

“He’s been coming to the gym for around the last six months and he’s a good, well-schooled boxer – and he’s spiteful.

“Kieron is a nice lad, but when he’s in the ring, he’s nasty – and that’s what you need.”

“From what I’ve seen, there’s no reason why he can’t win the British title.

“I’m surprised Kieron didn’t achieve more in the amateurs. Whenever I’ve seen him spar, he looks like someone who would have won several titles and boxed internationally.”

There’s championship boxing in Northampton on Sunday.

The National Association of Girls and Boys Clubs championship gets underway at Cripps Recreation Centre.

The entries include Kings Heath fighters Ben Vaughan and James Button, along with four hopefuls from Far Cotton ABC.

Connor Downs and unbeaten puncher Godley Thiaba are joined in the championship by brothers Arron and Ben Fail.

Arron is back in the gym after taking a break, while Ben is looking to build on his gold medal at the Haringey Box Cup this summer that put him in the top 10 in the latest English middleweight rankings.

Boxing on Sunday starts at 2pm and Far Cotton head coach John Daly estimates there will be 15 bouts, including a return between Mason Fury (Far Cotton) and Elliott Panter (Burton Park).

Their skills bout was warmly received by the crowd at Burton Park’s show last week.

Far Cotton teenager Jay Austin was a big winner on his debut on the same show.

The 17-year-old southpaw stopped M Duczar (Corby) inside the opening round of their welterweight clash.

The referee gave Duczar a standing count after Austin dazed him with a right-left and waved the bout off after Ausin landed a similar combination to have him wobbling again.