BOXING for a Midland schoolboy title, Worcester's Jon Roberts was up against Philip Newell of Wodenborough ABC.

In a close first round Newell kept the aggressive Roberts at bay using his longer reach advantage.

Roberts fought hard and pushed Newell the entire bout but was up against a well-schooled counter puncher.

Two-fisted attacks from the Worcester boy were met with straight combinations and superb boxing skills displayed from Newell on the backfoot.

In a classic boxer versus fighter' contest, Newell outpointed a game Roberts to progress to the quarter-finals of the Golden Gloves.

Worcester boxers were also in action at a recent show in Tamworth.

Schoolboy Scott Forward, taking part in his first contest, beat Terry Hall, of Tamworth ABC, on a second round retirement.

The Worcester boxer controlled the first with sharp straight lefts which caught his opponent almost every time.

Halfway through the first round Hall was rocked with a hard combination which resulted in a standing count.

Hall, to his credit started the second strongly but was guilty of neglecting his defence which allowed Forward to fire in an array of shots that saw the Tamworth corner throw in the towel.

Welterweight Shane Smith topped the bill against local boxer Kevin Avery.

Smith worked well with fast combinations to body and head. But his work-rate was found wanting with periods of inactivity costing him dear.

In a very even bout, Avery was the busier of the two which resulted in a unanimous points victory.