Jack Wood makes sure of his Elite progress
Walsall's Jack Wood booked his place for finals weekend in the England Elite championships after success on a military mission.
The Wednesbury Boxing Club fighter won his pre-quarter final on Saturday to keep alive his hopes of an elusive first national title at 60kg.
He's reached the semi-finals of the old junior ABA and the Clubs for Young People tournaments, plus a Schoolboys final, but hasn't claimed top honours.
The 20-year-old had to travel to the Aldershot Army Barracks in Hampshire to take on Tasinga Muchapondwa, from Berkshire's Bulmershe gym.
A determined and fired up Wood started tentatively as Muchapondwa backed off, with both holding back to look for openings.
It was the Black Country boxer who came off the better when they swapped leather, as he combined his shots to outbox his opponent.
Muchapondwa lost heart but stood his ground although he was consistently beaten to the punch, the final bell sounding with the result clear.
Wood's hand was raised by unanimous points decision, sealing his spot at the Echo Arena in Liverpool where the quarters, semis and final will be staged day-to-day from April 24 to 26.
Old rival Luke McCormack, who beat him in the 2012 national semi-finals of the CYPs, is seeded at the weight and is also preparing for Merseyside.
Trainer Stuart Grainger said: "Having a few fights in the competition already is doing Jack good. I feel he's getting better with each bout.
"He boxed very well on Saturday, his work was clinical and he didn't waste a lot of punches. That's what he will need to do all over finals weekend if we are to be successful.
"McCormack might come in fresh, but there's also the possibility that he might be a bit rusty, as he hasn't been involved so far. If Jack can perform as he has been doing, he has a chance."
Tournament organisers England Boxing recognise George Vernon, from Richie Carter's Golden Gloves in Wolverhampton, as their Central Elite bantamweight champion.
And the 17-year-old is their longest-serving title holder after a third successful defence of the belt, on Donnington's club show at the Shropshire district's Sports & Social Centre.
It was Vernon's finest display to date in a cracking contest with the formidable Ryan Conway, from Kings Heath in Northampton, on Friday night.
A close contest went to the cards where Vernon maintained his grip on the strap by majority decision, after an entertaining title tilt.
The skilful Lloyd Ransome, from Rugeley Police, claimed the Midlands Elite crown at super heavyweight earlier this month.
