Mixed fortunes for Walcot ABC in Cornwall

The seaside town of Perranporth hosted the event, where under new AIBA rules three minute rounds were boxed by 16-year-olds for the first time in a Western Counties Final.

Former England schoolboy international McDonagh attacked from the outset against Joseph Tarrant from Torrington Police ABC in his Class A (64kg) match.

Numerous southpaw right jabs and straight lefts found their target as the Walcot boxer comfortably took the opening round.

The second three minutes mirrored the first, with McDonagh in total command and the plucky Devonian happy to survive the round.

The Walcot boxer coasted the final three minutes and was rightly returned the unanimous points victor by the ringside judges.

However the same judges fell foul of the Walcot camp when the result of Or Ges Peroshi’s bout was announced.

The Wroughton-based Albanian had appeared to dominate his Class A (60kg), bout with Zak Pearce from the Empire gym in Bristol.

After a close opening round the Ridgeway pupil outscored the Bristolian repeatedly with left hooks and straight rights over the final two sessions, with a sustained attack from Peroshi forcing a standing count in the final minute of the contest.

Pearce was out on his feet and only just survived to hear the final bell.

But to a chorus of boos from a packed house it was the Empire boxer who had his arm raised by the referee, having been awarded a majority points verdict.

Walcot chief coach Harry Scott was incensed, saying: “Or Ges has clearly landed more scoring shots throughout the contest, totally dominated the last round and nearly stopped his boy at the end.

“This was a very poor decision and has robbed Or Ges of a deserved quarter-final place.

“Both Or Ges and Patrick have performed well this evening, but this poor decision has soured the evening for us.”

The next round will take place on February 9.