BRITISH champion Jordan Gill was denied the chance to box in front of his home crowd on Saturday - but this left Fenland’s youngest talents to take centre stage at Chatteris Amateur Boxing Club’s dinner show.

Clubs for Young People Champion Gill - who suffered a controversial defeat in the Amateur Boxing Association Finals last week - was left frustrated when his opponent withdrew at the last minute.

But the 16-year-old sensation joined the corner of Chatteris’ younger boxing stars as they showcased their skills at Cromwell Community College.

It was left to 12-year-old prospect Ryan Ducker to start the 12-bout show in style, with one of the best performances of the night.

The youngster flew out of his corner but was pegged back by the strong right hands of Luke Nicholson from South Holland ABC. Ducker recovered with a series of jabs and began to assert some control in the second round - swaying more powerful right hands from Nicholson.

The Chatteris youngster stayed composed in the final round, stunning Nicholson with a right hand - leading the referee to stop the fight for a standing eight count seconds before the bell. Ducker was awarded a majority decision to the delight of his vocal supporters.

Dean Baxter, Chatteris’ next young star, was less fortunate. The 12-year-old was overpowered by hard-hitting Cambridge boxer Joe Lee. Baxter failed to recover from two standing eight counts in the first round, with Lee waltzing to victory.

Purce Baxter, of March ABC, was unable to extend his winning run against South Holland ABC boxer Jack Fowler.

The talented 14-year-old failed to find a way through Fowler’s impeccable guard in a topsy-turvy bout. Baxter tried to stamp his authority with a series of jabs but Fowler’s patient style paid off, bagging him a majority decision win.

Wisbech ABC’s Jack Gleaves was the next boxer to impress. The 13-year-old put in an energetic performance against Cambridge DC’s Riley Smith to bag a unanimous victory.

Smith started strongly but Gleaves rattled his opponent with a flurry of right hands in the second round. The youngster showed good stamina to take control of the bout in the latter stages and pick up a deserved win.

Wisbech’s second boxer of the night Marcus Mylozis was less successful. Andy Henry, from Welwyn Garden City ABC, left Mylozis reeling from a fearsome right hand in the second round. It was a blow which the Wisbech boxer never recovered from and Henry picked up a unanimous victory.

Chatteris ABC coach Paul Gill highlighted 12-year-old Ducker as one to watch. He said: “He has got a lot of potential, that’s for sure. It’s not just about talent though, you have got to be dedicated.

“Jordan didn’t get to fight but that’s boxing. It’s just one of those things. It’s a shame for his fans but he’ll definitely be in the ring at the next show.

“He’s got to have the top class boys to fight and he was itching to get back in the ring after the weekend.”

A disappointed Jordan Gill said he would return to training to prepare for a fight in June - when he will take on a talented Norwegian prospect.

“I’m gutted I didn’t get to fight in front of my home crowd,” he said. “But I do enjoy helping the younger lads.

“I try to give them a bit of coaching. They might see me as someone to look up to and that can help them learn.”

The show also featured a series of entertaining bouts with boxers from across Cambridgeshire in action. Phil Richardson, of Cambridge DC, and Jake Kirby, of Goldstar ABC, particularly impressed with unanimous triumphs.

• NEWLY-crowned Junior Amateur Boxing Association champion Charlie Stevens continued his outstanding form by winning his first overseas bout in Norway.

The 15-year-old, who ended March ABC’s 54-year wait for a junior ABA champion a fortnight ago, strolled to another victory against highly-rated Norwegian Amin Seour.

The Upwell teenager’s classy performance also saw him named the best boxer of the evening in Tonsberg, Norway.

• MARCH ABC’s first female boxer Vicky Larham powered her way into the Southern ABA Finals with another ruthless performance at Harlow Stadium.

Larham outclassed Exeter ABC’s Jenna Carr with the referee stopping the bout after only a minute. Larham will resume her incredible bid for debut-season silverware in a fortnight at the final in Mansfield.