Tyne, Tees & Wear’s England Boxing Elite champions are now all known after Travis Waters, Jim Tyers and Ben Rees clinched the three remaining titles.
The boxers from Sunderland, East Durham and Birtley all joined Joe Tyers, James McMeekin and Ben Jarvis in the winners enclosure.
Waters, Tyers and Rees all triumphed today at Brambles Farm Social Club where East Middlesbrough ABC’s hosted the outstanding three finals.
The U69 kilos final, sadly, was no classic as there were more clinches than punches between Waters and Tom Summerbell, – certainly in the opening eight minutes of the contest.
A clash of styles between the Sunderland southpaw and the Darlington ABC boxer meant this was an untidy bout, Travis taking it on a split decision.
Waters got through with one good combination in the first round while Summerbell connected with some good short rights.
But it was predominately a case of hold, hold, hold until the last minute of the final round when boxing broke out.
Four of the five judges scored it for Waters.
The second final was much more pleasing on the eye though, both Tyers and Redcar’s Bobby Dalton fell foul of international referee Paul Allen.
Tyers was warned twice for head use and Dalton once, which was a shame after a lively first round in which both landed scoring shots.
East Durham’s USL TTW U75 kilo belt holder stepped it up in the second and third to come though with a split decision.
Rees (pictured) went all the way in 2018 and he’s on course to repeat the trick after retaining his TTW division gold.
Up against Brandon’s Dan Lennon, the Birtley ABC star began smartly, moving nicely and putting in some good head combinations.
But when Lennon drove a super straight right through the middle in round two it was a reminder to Ben that Dan was still a danger and a cut to the left eye added to the concern.
Rees though did not lose his grip and came through with no further scares to earn a unanimous decision.
Words: Roy Kelly
