Jack Bennett is outpointed in ABA Schoolboys

The Darlaston Comprehensive School pupil went into the first national stages at Retford Town Hall against an opponent with more than double his experience.

The two clashed in Class Two - for boxers born in 1999 - at 57kg with Elliott, from South Normanton School of Boxing in Derbyshire, using power to keep Bennett at bay.

The shorter fighter, Bennett struggled to make his trademark left hook land on the target as Elliott bobbed and weaved, using the southpaw stance to counter punch.

Bennett showed his own mettle in taking some strong shots to make room for his own work and both competitors kept their heads moving, negating eye-catching blows.

The final bell yesterday afternoon sounded with Bennett having reason to be proud and two of the judges went with him. However, three went with Elliott for his points win.

There was also defeat for Mohammed Alfayid in Class Three, for fighters born in 1998, at 70kg, although the Wolverhampton ABC fighter had a right to feel aggrieved with a loss.

It was the manner of Alfayid's disappointment that didn't sit well after opponent Kevan Brown-Wingfield, from Sileby Boxing Academy in Leicester, had clung on from the start.

His willingness to hold and clench made it difficult for Alfayid, who attends St Peter's Collegiate School, to land clean punches as his work was smothered in a unanimous points loss.

But the Black Country will still be represented in this weekend's quarter-finals in Class Three, with Liam Gould progressing without boxing at 57kg.

The Coseley School student, who boxes for William Perry ABC in Tipton, went through after opponent Ali Meesam, from Belgrave ABC in Leicester, pulled out at late notice.