Boxers full of eastern promise
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TWO Chatteris boxers became Eastern Counties' champions on Saturday night.

Joseph Payne, 21, beat Rayleigh Mills ABC's Jamie Homer to win the Light Welterweight title on a split decision points' victory.

Twenty-year-old Chris Brown became Light Heavyweight champion by way of a walkover.

His opponent, Henry Bacon, of the Triple A Club, Lowestoft pulled out of the match through illness.

Both boxers will go forward to compete in the National Zone Finals in Harlow on April 19.

Their opponents are not yet known.

Chatteris ABC coach Paul Gill said: "Joseph wasn't at his best in his final and he was up against a very good fighter. He lost the first two rounds and really had to put his foot on the gas for the last two to snatch the title.

"It's an absolutely fantastic achievement for Chris to become the Eastern Counties Light Heavyweight champion at the age of 20. He has had to fight much more experienced boxers but has never been intimated.

"Both boxers should be extremely proud of their achievements."

Meanwhile, another Chatteris puncher, Jordan Gill, 13, will join up with the England team in Sheffield this weekend for the Three Nations tournament against Scotland and Wales.

He secured international selection after impressing in his Royal Navy Golden Gloves final last month.

Gill lost his match, against Kirkby ABC's Michael Jolson, but made a good account of himself.

Paul Gill said: "It's brilliant news for Chatteris that the club has so many boxers doing well.

"It's not a case of just the odd individual making progress, as is the case with many other amateur boxing clubs, and it shows that the system of coaching we have at the club is successful.