BOXING: VAUXHALL Motors ABC's Matty Fagan has been crowned national champion at the third time of asking as he took the National Association of Clubs for Young People title in Nottingham on Thursday.
The 15-year-old defeated Aaron Deekf of Harwich 3-0 with what his coach described as his best performance to date.
Matty missed out on the crown two years ago on a countback decision in the final after he and his opponent finished level on points. He fell at the semi-final stage last year after failing to make the weight.
Coach Peter Phelan said: 'Matty was exceptional. He stepped up through the gears for the big occasion and put his past failures behind him.
'His opponent was no mug but he told us after the contest that Matty had really hurt him.
'Matty's a very cagy boxer and the first round was very tight. He had a good look at Deekf and started to read him and try and draw him in.
'In the second round he kept feinting and bringing Deekf in, catching him on the counter. In the third, Matty really produced the goods. He would pretend to make a move, Deekf would attempt to defend himself and Matty would catch him out.'
Matty's title win brought praise from former Ellesmere Port professional Lee Homes, who is now back at Vauxhall Motors ABC as a coach.
Holmes said: 'It's a great achievement for Matty, the club and the town. I've been working with him for a few weeks now and take him out running.
'He's a great kid and we've known that for a long time but he's got the world at his feet know and can go on to even greater things if he wants it. Hopefully his victory will prove to be a great inspiration to all his teammates.'
The club's Matty Pollard bowed out of the super-heavyweight division of the Senior Novice Championships at the semi-final stage on Saturday after the referee stopped his contest with Paul Malcolm.
Phelan said: 'He was on the wrong end of big left hook that led to a seven count. It was only Matty's fourth time out, but it's been a great learning curve.' Vauxhall Motors ABC's Nick Mac-Donald will be in action against West Ham's Matthew Marsh at the Adelphi Hotel on Wednesday, December 17, in an open-class bout as part of a 10-contest show for the NACYP Class B Championships. For tickets, contact Paul Butler on 0151 200 2710.
