Title-chaser Achong beaten for first time

Boxing

Jez Achong’s gritty display proved in vain as the Ashford boxer lost his Senior Development Class A National 75kg middleweight final against Adam Elliott on a technical third round knockout at Grantham in Lincolnshire on Sunday.

Competing in his first ever championships – having only taken up the sport 10 months ago – the 21-year-old suffered his first defeat in eight fights.

His opponent from Kings Heath ABC in Northampton, was 10 years older and had been beaten only once in 14 previous outings.

Coach Andy Wilford said: “Myself and colleagues Dennis Jarvis and Jamie Carter can’t praise Jez enough for a tenacious and gallant performance.”

Achong was under pressure in the opening round, on the end of lefts to head and body, followed by a chopping overhand right which had the Ashford man wobbling and forced to take his first ever standing count, before fighting back gamely despite still recovering from the blow.

The second round saw Achong working to instructions from his corner, keeping things long-range and working on his jab, achieving some success in the early stages.

Elliott kept pressing forward, though, catching Achong with a solid left-right combination and the Ashford man was given another standing count.

He came out determined to give it his all at the start of the third, producing some solid one-two combinations and mixing things up, only for Elliott to catch him with a right-hand counter leaving the referee to give the third and final count.

Achong’s performance even won praise from Eliott’s camp, who described him as a “very game” opponent.