Akash Tuqir left to carry the can for Shropshire

The two-time national finalist and former Tri-Nations title winner sat out the semi-finals on Sunday, walking over with no opponent to box.

But the 17-year-old, who defected from Wellington Boxing Academy to join Merridale in Wolverhampton last summer, will be called into action this Sunday, writes Craig Birch.

Tuqir steps through the ropes for a 52kg decider with Ammar Khan, from Hall Green in Birmingham, to decide who goes through to the national stages.

For the third week running, Donnington host the regional heats at the Telford district's Sports & Social Club, with the home outfit's Macauley Owen no longer involved.

Owen pulled out of his Sunday showdown with Hall Green's Tom Collins on Saturday night, citing illness after feeling the effects of a virus.

The teenager he defeated the previous week, James Beech from Pleck in Walsall, was reinstated but lost a short notice contest to Collins on a points split decision.

Owen's trainer Tristan Davies said: "It's always a shame to see a lad go out like this, particularly as I am convinced he would have beaten Collins.

"I didn't feel it was right there should be no fight, so I called the area secretary Louise Gibbs and then Tony Leonard at Pleck so Beech could take it instead.

"Macauley's gutted and, in my eyes, he could have gone far in this competition, given how much he's improved recently."

Ludlow's Ben Bywater suffered a painful exit in the 81kg category, as he was waved off in the first round after taking two standing counts.

'The Beast' went in with Lewis Williams, from Clearys of Leamington Spa, in just his fourth bout, while his opponent has boxed 14 times.

That experience told as an overzealous Bywater was tagged by an overhand right as he bombed forward, forcing the referee's intervention.

He was allowed to continue but couldn't fend off a left jab or the same shot that made the man in the middle act again, before calling for the bell.

Trainer Colin Woodfield said: "I saw the lad prepare the punch and pull back before either of the standing counts, so we knew that it was coming.

"Ben kept his hands down and paid the price, twice, but he was holding his own until then and it looked like he was going to make it to the end of the round.

"He's fine about it, he was back in the gym last night and was adamant that it will never happen again. He was in there with a dangerous opponent, no doubt it.

"I was talking to his coach afterwards and half of his wins have come by stoppage. Had I known that, I could have done something about it."

Shropshire is represented by Donnington's Toni Crooks in the female side of the competition, who has received a bye to the national pre-quarter finals at 51kg.