Shropshire's hope bows out of Development

Shropshire's sole representative, from Ludlow Boxing Club, was overwhelmed by talented East Midlands counterpart Daniel Wellings in the quarter-final.

They stepped through the ropes at Gresley Old Hall in Derbyshire for a 60kg bout in Class B, for fighters who have had 11 to 20 bouts, writes Craig Birch.

But the 22-year-old painter and decorator from Cleobury Mortimer couldn't repeat the form that saw him bring the West Midlands title back to South Shropshire two weeks previously.

He had been the aggressor against Dan Buttery in the area decider but was forced on the back-foot by Wellings, from Grimsby Boxing Academy.

Wellings piled the pressure on from the opening bell and kept his guard tight when he was forced to defend himself, leaving his opponent with the task of picking him apart.

Key had battled his way back into proceedings by the finish but hadn't curried any favour with the judges, who ruled him out of the competition unanimously on points.

But he will back in the prize ring for another four rounds with no head-guard on Saturday December 6, after being lined up for a shot at the 60kg UniBox West Midlands belt.

Trainer Colin Woodfield said: "The other lad had something like 15 victories out of 20, while James has won seven times out of 19.

"To reach a national quarter-final wouldn't have been expected with his record and he's changed since the start of the season. He's really knuckled down.

"We had it closer than the judges, to be honest, and so did their corner. If James had been given time or room to work, it could have been a different story.

"He's an upright boxer and he's had a lesson in boxing on the back-foot now, he wasn't allowed to settle which really smothered his game.

"But this year's tournament has been a great experience for him and, hopefully, there's a lot he will be able to take into his next fight."