WALCOT boxer Patrick McDonagh won the third national title of his career last Friday with a convincing points victory in the final of the Youth Ambition Championships at Shirebrook Leisure Centre near Mansfield.

An all-southpaw encounter saw the 16-year-old give away height and reach to Ben Fail from Northampton’s Far Cotton ABC in the Class A (63kg) final.

From the outset the Walcot boxer launched numerous two-fisted attacks, scoring with fast right hooks and straight lefts.

But Fail was no shrinking violet and returned fire with long right jabs and straight lefts, although not enough landed to prevent McDonagh from taking the opener.

The start of the second session saw McDonagh immediately launch a blistering eight-punch attack which caught his opponent off-guard.

Right hooks, straight lefts and right jabs all rained down upon the Far Cotton boxer as he covered up on the ropes.

However, Fail showed great courage in regaining his composure and retaliating with right jabs of his own, although McDonagh bossed the round to overall increase his advantage.

During a pulsating last two minutes the two southpaws attacked and defended in equal measure, with both boxers receiving a fantastic ovation from the packed crowd at the final bell.

After the cheers had quietened down the five ringside judges awarded the Walcot boxer a unanimous points victory.

McDonagh said afterwards: “I am delighted to have won the title against a really tough opponent. I caught him with some good shots but he kept coming back at me.

“I must thank Walcot coaches Dave Veysey and Harry Scott, who were in my corner this evening, plus all the coaches who work with me in the gym and my dad Paddy who takes me all over the country to compete.”

Coach Veysey said: “Harry Scott, myself and Harold Scott have trained Patrick since he was six years old, and so it means a lot to see him win a prestigious title here this evening. He is a talented boxer who trains hard and deserves his success.”

Chief coach Scott added: “Patrick has boxed brilliantly to become only the third Walcot boxer to win this particular tournament in the past 10 years. It’s never an easy one to win because as well as beating the best in England you have to beat the best in Wales too.

“Paddy McDonagh’s boys keep winning national titles for us – that’s six altogether now from the McDonagh family.”