Thomas Connors: English Novice Boxing Champion

Littleborough's Tommy Connors defeated Efvardas Kantanavicius from Heroes Gym in Norfolk to become English Novice Champion

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Littleborough boxer, Thomas Connors is the English Novice Champion having won the title at the Championship finals in The Isle of Sheppey, Kent on 13 December.

Connors's opponent was the undefeated Efvardas Kantanavicius, from Heroes Gym in Norfolk

At the weigh in, the visibly bigger Kantanavicius weighed in almost 3kg heavier than Connors.

In the first round, Connors held the centre of the ring choosing to fight on the inside and try and break Kantanavicius with shot selection. Working his angles, Connors hit and evaded but the visible power punching of Kantanavicius took the fight to Connors, thudding shots into his tightly held guard. Connors always replied and continued to work on the inside.

Kantanavicius' weight was telling on Connors so, for the next two rounds, Connors switched his tactics to counter punching on the back foot and doubled his attacks up, using two and three phase attacks on Kantanavicius. It was a tactic which started to pay off and by the middle of the third round Connors was landing flush shots in bunches and tiring Kantanavicius.

Connors finished the bout looking like he wanted to end the night early for Kantanavicius but his strong, undefeated opponent hadn't tasted defeat before and he fought back until the final bell rang.

Connors was delighted at getting the win that signals he is heading in the right direction.

Coach Mark Oldham said "Tommy deserves this win, he trains to win, he's focused and I would have to explain to him what quit means.

"Training your own fighters from little experience into a national champion is satisfying and rewarding. There's more to come from Tommy though so we aren't going to rest on the one."

Conners fights out of Littleborough Boxing Club and during six weeks of bouts and travelling 700 miles around the country, he has become North West Novice Champion, North of England Novice Champion and now English Novice Champion.