Home Counties title for Evans

ROYSTON boxer Brad Evans has been crowned Home Counties Senior ABA Featherweight champion.

The 18-year-old, who boxes for Stevenage ABC, beat former national senior finalist Lawrence Lewis of Oxford Boxing Academy.

Evans, a three-time junior champion and England under-19 captain impressed from the start against the experienced 31-year-old, at Luton'a Auction Rooms.

Delivering some well executed punches, Evans began to dominate with solid hooks to both Lewis' head and body.

However, Lewis battled back, with both boxers becoming involved in a number of mid-ring exchanges which had the 800 spectators on their feet.

But Evans' extra class saw him through, and the youngster eventually secured a unanimous decision.

Joe Taylor of Brentwood ABC is up next for Evans, in the pre-quarter final at Great Parndon Community Centre in Harlow on Saturday.

Another Royston boxer, Billy Crotty, was also in action, but suffered a narrow defeat in his senior final light welterweight bout against Bedford's highly-rated Alan Levier.

The 26-year-old was desperately unlucky, with a split decision going Levier's way.

It seemed as though Crotty, who had dropped Levier with a thumping body shot in the third round, would edge in front, but to his opponent's credit he battled back in an excellent contest.

Billy's brother George, 14, also lost out in his final, in what were described as "heart-breaking conditions".

The Meridian School youngster had been leading 7-6 with just five seconds left, only for his four nations opponent to level at 7-7.

Crotty missed out, with the judges scoring in favour of the Welsh under-14 captain on countback.

Crotty's coach Dave Blows said: "It was a heart-breaking final.

"But at least George gained his first England vest and a memorable silver medal.