BOXING: FOLLOWING the success of our rugby boys, Vauxhall Motors ABC's Nick MacDonald gave the Australians a battering for England at Wembley Arena on Monday night.

The 19-year-old defeated Aussie number-two and Oceania Championship silver medallist Joel Brunker 35-15 as part of an international challenge match.

Coach Peter Phelan said: 'Both lads were of a similar age and Brunker was very compact. He came out well, showing quick hands, but by the end of the contest, Nick was more or less back to his old self.

'Nick also showed good hand speed and feet movement and started to catch his opponent with some lovely left hooks while spinning off him.

'Nick's last couple of performances hadn't been up to his usual high standards and he knew that, so we'd brought in England coach Kelvin Travis, who also works with Audley Harrison, to come and help him.

'A fresh face sometimes works well and with a couple of new routines in training, Nick is showing some form once more.' MacDonald will attend a 12-day camp in Germany in February which will culminate with a four-nation tournament involving the hosts, England, Lithuania and Uzbekistan.

However, he faces a dilemma in the spring as coaches hope to enter him in the Olympic qualifiers, which clash with the National Senior Championships.