Boxing: Littleborough boxers Harvey Ashworth and Joe Vaughan have mixed fortunes in search of national titles

Littleborough Boxing: Corner coach Mark Oldham and Joe Vaughan

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Harvey Ashworth and Joe Vaughan, of Littleborough Amateur Boxing Club, fought in the GTR final of the national championships in search of the national title on Sunday (15 October).

Harvey Ashworth fought Brad Ward of District Youth Boxing Club from the Midlands.

Ashworth started the bout quickly before both boxers locked horns in the middle of the ring for the full duration of the fight, both landing good blows.

Ashworth looked to use his size on his small stocky opponent and was having some success in catching Ward.

However, Ward rushing forward made it hard for Ashworth to hold him at arms length and on the inside. 

It was a good contest but Ward's insidework gave him the edge with the judges. 

Two times North West champion Joe Vaughan stepped into the ring against John Smith, representing the East Midlands.

This time last year Vaughan was edged out by eventual ABA Champion Kevin Connor, of Sefton.

Vaughan had other ideas this time and the Littleborough boxer put a on a good display of footwork and counter punching.

All three rounds saw Smith come out and look to impose his strength on Vaughan but that  within the first 30 seconds of the bout Vaughan had marked up Smith's eye.

Vaughan won by a unanimous decision, which takes him within two fights of a national title.

Head Coach Mark Oldham said: "Harvey was a little ring rusty, however I am happy with what I saw.

"Vaughan boxed fantastic, leaving me redundant in the corner. By way of game plan I just kept telling him to keep doing what he was doing, which he did fantastically."