History as Bharj wins

The 17-year-old saw off the much-fancied Craig Greenwood from Birkdale in convincing fashion to win the class three 60kg title.

Bharj even survived a scare in the fourth round when his nose started bleeding.

But the switch-hitter boxed cleverly to survive the scare with some great hit and move boxing.

A close first round saw Bharj 2-1 down as Greenwood earned a slender avantage going into the second, where a strong comeback saw Bharj edge 3-2 up.

And an explosive third round saw Bharj unleash several left hooks to stun his opponent and take a 6-3 lead going into the final round.

His cut nose looked to threaten his challenge but Bharj boxed sensibly, landing several hooks and upper cuts whilst preventing his rival landing a single clear punch.

At the bell Bharj clinched a 9-5 victory to take the title.

Walcot Boxing Club chairman David Veysey said: "We are absolutely delighted.

"We knew it would be a tough fight for Danny because the other lad was really fancied.

"But Danny boxed brilliantly and very cleverly.

"We wanted him to box and move and that's what he did. He fought a clever fight.

"Danny is the first-ever Walcot boxer to win this title and now the club has two ABA champions in one season.

"For a club like us to achieve that in one season is amazing and a credit to chief coach Harry Scott and the other coaches Tony Fitzgerald, Dave Holyday, Harold Scott and Bobby Gwynne."

Bharj's victory, watched by England coach Terry Edwards, also means that he will now fight for England.

The 17-year-old has been called up to the England Junior squad to fight in a Four Nations tournament at the end of the month in London.

And there was double success for Wiltshire when Malmesbury youngster Joe Hughes also won his Junior ABA Final.

The 15-year-old just edged victory against Danny Phillips in the class four 57kg category.

Hughes was locked 5-5 after the final round but just nicked victory on countback 19-17 to take the title.