Published: Thursday, 19th November, 2009 9:51am

Top class win for John as Stokes boys impress

by Editorial Department

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Enniskillen Boxing Club collected two Ulster titles last weekend at the Ulster Open Boy (11, 12, 13 year old) championships.

The club had three boxers competing at the event which was held in Cookstown, with 11-year-old John Stokes first in the ring against John Joe Nevin of Cavan.

Stokes started a bit wary of Nevin who has a big reputation in boxing circles, one of his family having represented Ireland at the last Olympics. After losing the first round, Stokes began to grow in confidence, and he pulled the match back to even in the second before putting on a brilliant display of text book boxing and movement in the third to totally outclass and out-point Nevin and collect his first Ulster title in only his third bout which is a massive achievement.

Next in the ring was Anthony Stokes who had boxed excellently in the semi-final to outpoint a very strong Sam McNamee of Spring Hill. In the final Stokes met this year's Irish champion, Tom Bradley of Omagh. In the first round Stokes got off to a slow start against the very elusive Bradley and although showing some real heart and skill in the second and third he didn't do enough to pull back Bradley's lead.

Next up for a medal was Stephen Stokes who after entering at his weight class found that no-one seemed too keen on boxing him as he won the title by a walk-over.