READING middleweight boxer Damon O’Neill has become the first senior national champion in his weight category for the newly formed Amateur Boxing Alliance of England.

The finals, held at the TA Centre, Grove Park in London, attracted some of the best amateur boxing talent in the UK.

O’Neill boxed twice on the same day, defeating an experienced 47-bout boxer from Bedford in the semi final by majority decision, in what was a cagey bout, and setting up a final with Ohio Cane, a very strong opponent from Eltham.

Cane was always looking to dominate the centre of the ring and push O’Neill to the ropes in rounds one and two, however the Reading star was able to stick to his game plan of slick movement and fast hand speed from his southpaw stance.

Round three was action packed with both boxers digging deep in search of victory, however O’Neill was able to summon one last final effort to win a unanimous points victory.

Reading head coach, Adrian Riley, said: “The achievement of national champion is even more astonishing given the final was only Damon’s eighth amateur fight, having first walked into the Reading Boxing club gym only three years ago.”

Reading BC is located in Chatham Street and is open every day to aspiring boxers of all ages and experience.

The club has enjoyed tremendous success over the past six years in particular under the tutelage of Riley and his team of coaches, producing four national amateur champions and Reading’s current crop of professional boxers including Tamuka Mucha, all of whom are rapidly rising through the UK rankings.