James Branch came out on top in Harlow last week. Picture: Kleo

Hainault youngster chases down dad’s record

Hainault teenager James Branch clinched his second national title success in six months when he claimed a National Boys’ Club title in convincing style at the NACYP finals at Harlow last week.

Branch, following his namesake father who won a record nine National titles as a Repton boxer, took the Class A 80kg award to follow the junior ABA award he won in May.

The 16-year-old who followed his ABA success by bringing back a gold medal from the Great Britain international tournament at Cardiff in July, continued his successful run in the prestigious boys’ club tournament.

Last week the Repton boxer looked a winner all the way in a one-sided final victory against Sheffield City rival Callum Beardow, as he took control from the opening bell, firing effective long-range punches.

It proved one-way traffic against the game northerner, who never looked like turning the final his way, as the Hainault boxer breezed to a 26-1 points success.

Branch’s triumph was one of a trio of title wins on the night, as Repton maintained their reputation as one of the strongest clubs in the country.

Branch’s club-mate Chris Ali also turned back the challenge of a Sheffield rival when he defeated Ramsey Nasser (Sheffield Lane Top) in the Class C 57kg final.

Third Repton winner Harvey Horn’s Class A 46kg final success over Mason Reilly, from Rotherham’s Millennium Club, was one of the closest of the Harlow finals.

Horn, who took an ABA junior title with his previous club Gator BC, won a thrilling final last week when he supplied the extra pressure to clinch a 15-14 victory.