Boxing brothers on the verge of claiming national titles

The siblings have made it through to this weekend's national development finals in Grantham.

Paul faces Andrew Stafford, from the North-West, and Rio is taking on Lucas Millns, from the East Midlands.

Their quest for honours gathered pace after winning their respective semi-finals at Ipswich Town Football Club.

Harwich coach Martin Webb said: "These kids are doing the club and themselves proud with their outstanding performances.

"The championship format is intense.

"Paul has won five bouts from five in four weeks, with the contests naturally getting harder as he progresses.

"However, he's shown maturity, discipline and commitment way beyond his relatively limited ring experience.

"He's also developed real power over the course of time, forcing standing eight counts on four out of the five victims he has faced in the championships.

"Rio has all the confidence and determination to succeed and along with Paul, has a realistic chance of lifting a national title next weekend.

"Ironically the club last enjoyed national hours 15 years ago when another set of brothers, Charlie and Tommy Jacobs won national schools titles."

In the class A, under-69k national development semi-final, Paul looked to book his finals place by beating Ashford ABC’s Jack Ewbank.

Twenty-year-old Gordon just edged the first round against a wily campaigner who knew his way around the ring.

The second round saw Gordon's trademark power come to the fore, as he launched a ferocious salvo of shots that forced the referee to intervene and administer a standing eight count.

Ewbank, needing the last session to be in with any chance of winning the bout, upped his game.

However, Gordon was equal to the task, as both boxers traded feely in the square ring throughout the session.

Gordon’s endeavours earned him the decision by way of a split points verdict.

Not to be outdone, Gordon's 16-year-old brother, Rio, took his place in the semis against unbeaten-in-seven Jack Ford, of Turners ABC.

Little separated the two in the opening round as both exchanged quality shots.

Again, power was the telling factor as Gordon junior rained in hook after solid hook in the closing rounds to take a decisive unanimous points decision in the class B, junior development under-70kg category.

In a busy period for Harwich, last season's national junior ABA semi-finalist Frazer Mann posted a solid middle round before dropping a points decision to Worcester ABC’s Andrew Cooper at London's Sheraton Hotel.

After six skills bouts, 11-year-old Cameron Walker made his competitive debut at Colchester’s St Benedicts School.

After three hard-fought rounds, Walker was just edged out by Trumpington ABC's Jimmy Maloney on a split points decision.