EIGHTEEN-year-old Steve Williams has become Seacombe-based Avalon ABC's first national boxing champion.

Steve, boxing at 67kgs in the Senior Novice National Championships at Knottingley Leisure Centre, Yorkshire, faced his toughest opponent to-date in RAF boxer D. Hardy.

Hardy forced the issue early, not allowing Steve to settle. The air force fighter looked to have a slender lead going into the final round, but could not have been prepared for the pressure that was unleashed by the Avalon boxer.

Hardy struggled to keep Williams at bay and the Avalon boxer forced the RAF man into mistakes. A public warning was administered to Hardy for dropping the shoulder and then another for leading with his head.

At the bell, the air was thick with anticipation as the corner awaited the judges' decision - 12-10 to Williams and how the Avalon camp celebrated!

A second Avalon boxer, Carl O'Keefe, stepped into the ring at 71 kgs in the hope of making it a double celebration.

The 19-year-old clocked up some good early points against D. Devane (Weston Super Mare ABC) and a fairly even contest was unfolding, with O'Keefe boxing well on the back foot.

But midway through the second round, disaster struck when Carl took a right hook to the left eye. Instantly, the tissue beneath the eye began to swell and the doctor, called in by the referee, had no hesitation in calling the contest off, much to the despair of the Avalon boxer and his corner.

Avalon ABC spokesperson Dave Phillips praised both Steve and Carl for their achievements over the duration of the Championships. "They have done themselves, their club and Wirral proud," he said.