Super Hooper's flying high

The Moneyfields ace has secured his place in the quarter-finals of the national competition with an impressive statement of intent.

Hooper, 18, overcame recent national finallist Jack Burrent at 81kg to secure his berth in Rotherham later this month.

He will be joined by a quartet of boxers from Heart of Portsmouth at that stage.

Both Walid Adenas and Bailey Fowler progressed with walkovers.

They are joined by England international Ivy-Jane Smith and novice national champion Taylor Smith.

It was Hooper who was a weekend winner, though, and Moneyfields coach Colin Hooker believes there is every chance he can go all the way in the competition.

He said: ‘Owen boxed well. He started strongly but got a little sloppy in the second round.

‘He got a telling off from our coach, Tony Knowles, at the end of the second and stepped it up again.

‘He used his jab well and, if he used it a bit earlier in the contest, he could have had him out of there.

‘Owen’s putting the work in for this championships.

‘There is every chance he can go all the way if he prepares properly.’

There was disappointment for Team Wiseman’s Lewis Dentith, whose campaign came to a close against Smallholding’s Kaylm Forman. Dentith dropped a points decision to Forman at 64kg at the Gosport show.

His team felt their talent had done enough to get the victory but saw the verdict go the other way.

There was good news for Team Wiseman as they picked up four winners in other contests.

Liam Wiseman, 13, beat Crawley’s Danny Pearce on a unanimous points win at 48kg.

Frankie Stanley got the split-decision win over Stacey’s Charlie Martin in another Team Wiseman win at 41kg.

Owen Hughes continued the victories over Westside’s Kody Mellar in their 34kg meeting, while Jamie Chamberlain put in a brave performance before going down to defeat to Golden Ring’s classy unbeaten talent Jake Clarke.

The Team Wiseman captain could hold his head high, though, in a match-up which entertained the crowd. Bailey Donald travelled to Birmingham and was another winner for Team Wiseman.

Coach Daron Wiseman said: ‘We thought Lewis had the strength on their boy and did a bit more.

‘Lewis wobbled him in the first round but couldn’t finish him off.

‘The decision went the other way and that’s how it goes sometimes. He did well and will be back.

‘Liam was in a good, skilful bout and his ability got him through.

‘Frankie’s was a split decision but the other boy kept walking on to his jab. Charlie was strong but Frankie did it on the back foot.

‘Owen was in with a taller boy but his work rate made the difference. He stayed on him all the way through.

‘He outworked him in the end but it was a good bout.

‘Jamie did himself proud against a class boxer who had a blinding style.

‘He got caught with some big shots and fought his heart out.’