Park Royal youngsters land London Schools’ titles

Hooks ABC had more to cheer as two of their young fighters were crowned London Schools’ champions at the weekend.

Tony O’Donnell stopped Repton’s Albert Winder in the third round of their 29.5kg contest at Danson Youth Club in Bexleyheath on Saturday, after inflicting a standing count on his rival.

Winder had tried to press forwards throughout, but O’Donnell’s precise punches proved decisive in the stoppage.

That set up a final meeting with another Repton youngster, Max Glenister, at Feltham’s Southwest Academy on Sunday, where O’Donnell maintained his fine form with crisp shots to lift the title.

Silas Rose-Morris had reached the National Schools’ finals last year and had to work hard for three full rounds to land his second London belt.

But his determination and work rate proved key as he got the nod over West Ham’s Roman Palmer in a close-fought contest at 48kg.

There was disappointment for Brian McDonagh, though, as he was edged out by West Ham’s Tony Docherty at 40kg.

The Park Royal youngster worked tirelessly for three rounds in an entertaining contest where the vote could have gone either way.

O’Donnell and Rose-Morris will now join clubmates Brian O’Donnell and defending champion Albie Shanahan in the national quarter-finals at Tilbury on May 14 and coach Steve Newland said: “We are very proud of our boxers performances over the weekend and throughout the season and look forward to the quarter-finals with confidence.

“We need to thank the parents of some of our boxers, as well as local firms too numerous to name and in particular Powerday for their generous financial support.

“Hooks success has seen us have overnight stays in Grantham, Liverpool and Rotherham in the last few weeks, none of which would have been possible without their financial support.

“More success in this year’s Schools’ will lead to the necessity of more travelling and overnight accommodation, so we must acknowledge the support we get as without it we would not be able to support our boxers success.”