WALCOT ABC fighters experienced mixed fortunes when they competed in the England Boxing Development Western Counties Championship, writes DAVE VEYSEY.

The leader of the pack for the Swindon club at the event in Cheltenham was Bolton Fernandes as the 18-year-old won the Western Counties title by beating Will Samuels, of Parkstone ABC in Dorset.

From the opening bell, both boxers kept busy with hard left jabs and straight rights, with both landing with some heavy shots.

Fernandes and Samuels kept up a high work-ate throughout the three two-minute rounds, with neither giving an inch.

At the end of an entertaining bout, the ringside judges awarded Fernandes a splits points’ decision.

In the previous regional round, the Walcot boxer had defeated Liam Whelan, from Empire ABC in Bristol, also on a split decision.

This bout was a cagey affair, with the Swindon teenager edging the points decision.

Meanwhile, Bolton’s Walcot stablemate, Antonio Masi, bowed out of the competition in the Western Counties Final.

He encountered a rugged opponent in the shape of William Gardner, of Wessex ABC in Dorset.

Both light-welterweights landed with heavy shots, but it was Gardner who prevailed after an exciting contest.

In the previous round, Masi had beaten Alex Saunders, of Chard, courtesy of a third-round knockout.

Walcot’s Bobby Bharj lost his first-round bout to Bradley Kings, with the Scrappers Boxing Club in Swindon fighter winning on a unanimous points’ verdict.