Billy Fanneran - Hooks

Billy Fanneran is aiming to complete a Hooks ABC hat-trick – and go one better than his brother – after reaching the National Schools’ Championship final.

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The 14-year-old eased past Rayleigh’s Sonny Riel in last weekend’s class 2 under-66kg semi-final and is now one step away from becoming the third Hooks boxer to claim a national title in as many years.

Luke Robinson won a junior ABA title during the Park Royal club’s debut season in 2010 and Harry Connelly became a National Schools’ champion last year.

Fanneran’s elder brother Paul was also a national finalist when boxing for Dale Youth ABC in 2008, and Hooks trainer Steve Newland said: “I told Billy he could put ‘finalist’ on Paul’s door and ‘champion’ on his door.

“We’ve had a champion every year so far and it’d be great if we could make it three in a row. Billy’s had some bad luck in the past but he did everything we asked of him in the semi-final.

“He sparred well all through the week and really stepped up and proved himself. He kept his shape and looked like somebody who can win the championship.”

Fanneran produced excellent footwork and fast punches in his semi-final clash and, when Riel launched a fightback in the closing stages, the Hooks youngster kept his distance and used his jab to secure a 16-5 points triumph.

That result took Fanneran’s record to four wins from five contests and he will now face RJ Lambert, from the Leam Lane club in Gateshead, at this weekend’s final in Mansfield.

But Hooks hopes of sending a second representative to the national finals ended when Billy Dunne was beaten by Harwich’s Johnny Doran in the class 1 under-34kg semis.

Doran landed some good scoring shots and, despite a promising spell at the start of the second round, the Hooks fighter was unable to keep up with the pace and lost out 17-7 – a scoreline that probably flattered his opponent.

However, Newland pointed out: “We’ve got to remember that Billy was the only one who had to box in every round – and he pulled off our best result of the championships when he went in and beat Paul Ellis of West Ham.

“It was there for Billy to win, but he had to snap his punches out and work fast and that didn’t happen – he relaxed too much. It’s frustrating because we know he’s got potential.”