Coyle wants more atfer Southern Area success

Repton's Miguel Lopez celebrates (Image: Archant)

Johnny Coyle is hungry for more title success after coming out on top of a local derby duel to take the Southern Area light-welterweight belt at York Hall on Saturday night.

The unbeaten 22-year-old, trained by Alec Wilkey at the Lansbury gym in Poplar, outscored Phillip Bowes in an all-east London clash and is looking to the future with confidence.

“I’d like to defend this Area belt, then move on and aim for more titles,” said Coyle.

Former Repton amateur Bowes landed the speedy shots that had earned him nine wins in 10 previous bouts, but was shaken more than once as Coyle fired back and outworked his rival in a testing fight.

Unbeaten in 10 fights, including a Prizefighter welterweight success, Coyle showed his strength in the lighter division, piling on the pressure in the later rounds as his rival slowed.

It was quite a night for the Wilkey team as they enjoyed a treble success, with Adam Salman halting Michal Vosyka inside a round and Cassius Connor stopping Andy Harris in four rounds.

It was also a night of celebration for brothers Anthony and Sonny Upton, the former east London amateurs who now train with ex-world champion Ricky Hatton at his Manchester gym.

Anthony made it nine straight pro wins when triggering a third-round body shot that finished Hungarian Istvan Kiss.

The powerful right hook to the mid-section saw Kiss counted out in one minute 42 seconds of the third to the delight of the impressive fan following cheering the Uptons at York Hall.

Brother Sonny recorded a clear win on the Goodwin Promotion where he outpointed Latvian Dmitrijs Ovsjannikovs, winning all four rounds on the referee’s scorecard.

n The 25th anniversary clash between Repton and old rivals the Belfast Dockers ended with the scores level at 3-3 at the Chiswell Street Brewery on Friday night.

Repton thought they deserved victory after a good display from their former national title-holder Michael McCarthy, but the Irish judges cast their deciding votes in favour of his rival Sean Meaghan.

There was a repeat win for Repton’s Matt Yazidi when he faced Lee McFarlane, who he had earlier beaten in Belfast and again battled through for a points victory.

Also winning for the home club, Miguel Lopez kept the pressure on Ollie O’Neil, working well at close range for a unanimous win.

Josh Burnham also landed the scoring shots for another east London success as he outpointed John McCourt.

But the judges verdict went in favour of Dockers boxer Steve McDermott at the end of a keenly fought bout against Mo Flavey.

Also chalking up a success for the visitors, John McDoughty finished on top of his clash with Bethnal Green club rival Josh Burnham.

Repton have a family tradition and this was continued with wins for George Barker and Tom Baker, who followed in the footsteps of star-name relatives with good wins on the show.

George, nephew of Darren Barker, showed good form as he boxed his way to victory over Southend rival Jack Bunch.

The Baker clan were also cheering the success of their latest Repton prospect as Tom also came through a winner against Steve Crabb (Southend).

n Repton continue their impressive march in the England Schools’ Championship with 18 boxers through to the semi-finals at Bristol on Saturday.

The winners will book their places in the England finals taking place the following weekend at Sheffield.