Benjamin Whittaker takes first national title
Benjamin Whittaker took home the National Ambition Boxing Championship title after coming from behind to claim the title up north tonight.
The Wodensborough ABC fighter won the last two rounds and handed his opponent a standing count in the last session, on his way to glory at the Rainton Meadows Arena in County Durham.
In went the Black Country fighter with Inder Bassi, a decorated national champion from Gator ABC in London, at 66kg in Class A, boxers for born in 1997.
It took time for Whittaker to work out his adversary as he conceded the first round, mainly because of staying cagey behind a high guard.
Timings were right in the second session, as the long shots started to find their target. Short work enjoyed more success from there, before punch combinations followed.
Pressure nearly saw Bassi fold in the third, two stiff right hooks forcing the referee's intervention for a standing eight count, but he survived to the finish.
It was still nip and tuck with the judges but it was Whittaker's hand raised at the final bell, handing the talented West Midlands combatant a much-deserved first national title.
