Titchfield back on map with Maggs power

The youngster has ended the club’s 30-year wait for a national title after final victory in Lincolnshire.

And he has been joined by Heart of Portsmouth’s (HOP) Lloyd Farrington at the top of the tree in the country.

Farrington seized his moment against reigning champ Ellis Grant at 38.5kg in Class A.

It was a similar story for Maggs, after he was reinstated at 56kg in the minors category after a disputed defeat in an earlier round.

The 12-year made the most of his chance as he triumphed over Leicester Unity’s Vinny Huczman with a unanimous points decision.

Titchfield last enjoyed a boxer on such a platform back in their heyday of the ’70s and ’80s with Joey and Jimmy Peters.

Head coach, Tim Henderson, spoke of the pride Maggs has generated at the club.

And he believes it can make the start of a bright new era for the outfit.

Henderson said: ‘Tommy has won the title in his first year in the schools and we’re very proud of him.

‘He’s helping us to put the club back on the map.

‘We believed he is the best boy in the country and he showed it.

‘He’s been with us since a very young age and improved all the time.

‘Tommy’s so big for his age so he’s always sparring older boys.

‘He’s one of those kids who soaks up all the knowledge and has come on in leaps and bounds as a result.

‘It’s been nice to have lots of the other clubs phone up and congratulate us on the win.

‘We concentrate on the juniors coming through because they are the lifeblood and backbone of any club.

‘Tommy is a wonderful lad to have in the gym.

‘Hopefully he can now be a role model for the other lads, because the future is bright.’

Farrington’s cannonball charge to the final saw him pick up his seventh win of the competition against Grant.

The odds were stacked against the youngster as he faced an opponent with 17 wins from 18 bouts.

But the HOP battler came out on top and now moves forward to a selection event for the European Championships.

HOP head coach, Q Shillingford, said: ‘It was a big task but Lloyd executed the plan to the letter.

‘He showed he is a great role model for the up-and-coming boxers to inspire to. We’ve had four national champions this year. We’re buzzing.’

Meanwhile, there was disappointment for Moneyfields pair Tayler Sutton and Jay Cooper as they went down to defeats in the final.

And Team Wiseman’s Frankie Stanley dropped a points decision to Spennymoor’s Tyler Jacques after a flying run of form.