Development deciders for West Midlands
West Midlands champions were crowned in the England Development event with a number of twists and turns on the way to the first national stage.
Eight bouts were staged at the Lea Hall Sports & Social Club in Birmingham on Sunday, with others walking over to the next round with no opponent to box.
Ryan Phillips, from Lions Boxing Club in Dudley, kicked off the action in Class A - for boxers who have had two to 10 fights - at 56kg.
He battled valiantly against Mohammed Ahmed, from Eastside in Birmingham, and divided the opinions of the judges, as the contest went to the cards after four, two minute rounds.
It was Ahmed's hand that was raised on a split decision but Phillips took heart from a close call, also competing without a head-guard for the first time.
Wolverhampton's Callum Bricknell again impressed at 69kg with a one-sided unanimous victory over Fahad Fatah, from Stoke Staffs.
He controlled the bout throughout and comprehensively took every round, but couldn't find the killer blow that knocked out club-mate Ian Boulton in the last round.
Joshua Miller, from Priory Park in Dudley, tried to use his height to keep 81kg rival Hall Green's Nicholas Powell at bay, but the formidable Brummie was the dominant force unanimously.
Walsall Wood's Troy Hall went through without boxing at 91kg with opponent Paddy Rainer, from the Tom Lowe club in Staffordshire, failing to make the weight.
Super heavyweight hope Lloyd Ransome, the punching physiotherapist from Rugeley Police, reached the national semi-final last year and remains in this competition.
The big 24-year-old maintained focus to roll over unanimously as Polish foe Mariusz Piwonar, from Leamington Spa, allowed his head to drop on the way to defeat.
Rugeley cohort Steve Smith is also through at 69kg in Class B - fighters from 11 to 20 bouts - after Tom Lowe's Stuart Blairs came in overweight.
