AFTER a 15-year drought of having no national champion in their ranks, Harwich Boxing Club had two opportunities to change that statistic in the shape of brothers Rio and Paul Gordon.

In the under-70kg, class B national junior development final, 16-year-old Rio faced the challenge of unbeaten-in-eight Lucas Millns, from Clifton ABC, in the East Midlands.

Rio, conceding significant height and reach advantages, struggled to find his rhythm in the first round until just before the bell sounded, when he delivered a peach of an overhand right hook to fell his opponent heavily.

Millns beat the count but, buoyed by this success, Rio pushed on in the second session to edge ahead.

His power came to the fore once again in the last round, as a wicked left hook rocked Millns and forced the referee to administer a standing eight count.

Ten seconds later, after another barrage of ferocious shots from the Harwich youngster, the referee had seen enough to stop the contest on a technical knockout - much to the delight of the Harwich camp.

Twenty-year-old brother Paul was looking to emulate Rio, two hours later in the under-69k, class A senior development final.

He faced a mature 29-year-old in the shape of Chadderton ABC's Andrew Stafford, who demonstrated plenty of useful defence and counter-punching moves that belied his relative novice status.

Paul tried to pin his foe down and enjoyed more success in rounds two and three.

However, it would be Stafford who deservedly took the title on a unanimous points decision.

Head coach Martin Webb said: "It's been a great journey with these two brothers, in what is clearly looking like their breakout season.

"Rio's punching power is awesome for someone so young, which has been clearly evident in his four wins on the bounce this season en route to national glory.

"He now turns his focus towards the national boys and girls national championships that start in November.

"If you'd told me in August that Paul would win five bouts in a row before being pipped in a national final, I would have ripped your hand off.

"His improvement has been sensational and he will come again, starting at our home show at the Park Pavilion, in Dovercourt, on December 3.

"The brothers are well liked on the circuit and have quite literally lit up these championships.

"It's been a challenging, yet thoroughly enjoyable, journey with these two kids over the last six weeks.

"They've learnt so much and come a long way.

"I'm confident you will be hearing much more about both of these brothers' boxing exploits in the years to come."