SECONDSOUT Champion really is Samm fighter

CONNOR THE CLUB’S FIRST NATIONAL TITLE HOLDER

CRAMLINGTON’S Connor Samms is ready to make a significant step up after becoming his club’s first national champion.

Samms, who was only 19 in August, was recently crowned a National Development champion at Banbury, the only senior from the Tyne, Tees and Wear Association to claim a gold medal.

He did it in some considerable style, defeating a string of area champions by the widest of margins and getting the nod on all five judges’ scorecards each time.

Samms capped off his victory run by outpointing London champion

Saqib Khan from the legendary Repton club in the Senior Male Class B final at 64kg.

In doing so he struck a significant blow for his club Northumberland Fire and Rescue Boxing Academy situated in Cramlington.

Coach Tony Scott hailed Connor’s achievement saying: “We have only been going a few years and he is our first national champion. We have had three regional title holders but never a country-wide champion.

“Connor did it in real style, 5-0 every time he entered the ring.

“After winning the Area crown he beat the East Midlands champion in the quarter-finals, the Yorkshire champion in the semis and the lad from Repton in the final. “At just 19 every opponent was older than him.

“He deserves everything he has got. “He trains so hard, is modest and does everything right. To be truthful, he is a pleasure to coach.

“We have been planning Connor’s success in the Developments for a year now - the lad is better than his record which shows 17 wins and five defeats.

“However, three of those losses have been to the same guy, Dylan Clark from Plains Farm who is a boys’ club champion. Connor has got closer to him each time.” Tony Scott

Samms is fighting for the Tyne, Tees and Wear Association Development belt against Bilton Hall’s Robbie Colman at Newbiggin on Friday night - but longer term he will almost certainly be forced into the Elites in March despite giving away age and experience.

He is at the same 64kgs weight as Birtley’s European silver medallist Calum French but they would avoid one another at regional level, French exempt until later rounds because of his outstanding national and international record.

Scott added: “We have to think of the Elites as tough as it is because Connor is becoming a victim of his own success.”

He deserves everything he’s got. He trains so hard, is modest, and does everything right . . . he’s a pleasure to coach