Musa Hussan

The National title hopes of Fairbairn boxer Musa Hassan were ended by tall northerner Bilal Rehman, when the ABA Novices finals took place at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth on Saturday.

Rehman from Lancashire’s Middleton BC, had a hit and move style that saw him control their Class A 67kg decider and build up a points advantage against the Ilford club hope.

Trailing in the final round, Hassan stepped up the pace and rocked his rival with a solid right, but the Middleton boxer retained his lead to take the decision and the national title.

Fairbairn official Jumbo Basi said: “It was tough for Musa to suffer his first defeat in a National final after boxing so well all the way along the title trail.”

Ilford boxer Jack Noakes halted the home victory parade on the Hornchurch and Elm Park BC show on Friday when he outpointed strong rival Georgio Guidotti, in a high standard junior bout.

Noakes, who boxes for the Newham BC, continued his winning form when he provided the effective attacks to subdue the Hornchurch boxer and take a points verdict.