Revenge is sweet for title-winning boxer

A TEENAGE boxer from an Earl Shilton club has got revenge on an old foe by winning a national competition.

Tyler Rivers, who trains with Earl Shilton ABC, won the National Association of Girls and Boys Club Championship in Class B at under-70kgs

He earned a split points win over John Ward at competition in Bristol.

Ward won when they met in last year’s final, but Rivers outsmarted him in the return.

Coach Craig Perkins said: “Ward is a slick southpaw who sits back and waits for his opponents to make mistakes.

“We told Tyler to keep him on the end of his range and not to give him any openings.

“He gave a controlled, disciplined performance and, for me, he won every round.

“Tyler is very, very strong and in the past he’s relied on that too much. He’s just gone in there to knock people out.

“But he’s done a lot of work with (ex-Braunstone amateur) Sean Foran on his boxing and it’s paid dividends.

“Tyler has put in three really good performances to win this title.”

Rivers, from Wigston, beat national title-holders Louie O’Regan and Bailey Smith on his way to the final.

“Tyler hasn’t had it easy,” said Perkins. “Every bout has been hard, but he’s come through.”