There was disappointment for Walcot boxer Ryan Martin at the Royal Navy Junior ABA Semi Finals on Saturday when his opponent failed to show.

The 16-year-old Greendown pupil was due to face Liam Giles from Essex University, but with no prior warning to the Walcot camp, the Eastern Counties and London area champ failed to attend the event, which was staged at the Merlins Nightclub in Leysdown on Sea, Kent.

Chief coach Harry Scott was annoyed but philosophical about the situation, saying,: “We have travelled over 150 miles to get here and it is obviously disappointing to Ryan and ourselves that he cannot box today.

“The Essex University coach should have informed the Southern Counties Secretary that his boxer was pulling out, which would have saved us a wasted trip.

“But on the plus side, Ryan is now in his second national final this season.

“In boxing, sometimes these things happen and you just have to carry on regardless.”

The hard-hitting Martin is used to opponents pulling out on him this season.

“This is the second time this season that an opponent has withdrawn rather than compete against me,” he said.

“I’ve scored a few knockout wins recently and I think that’s putting people off facing me in the ring.

“I suppose I should take it as a compliment but it is annoying when you travel a long distance and then don’t compete.

“I must now focus on the national final in two weeks’ time.”

The Royal Navy Junior ABA Final is to be held at the Barnsley Metrodome on the weekend of May 22-23.