Peterborough Police Boxing Club pair fought well against classy champions

It took two high-class performers to stop Peterborough Police Boxing Club youngsters winning gold at the National Schools Finals in Newcastle.

Emerging star Safiya Herish (13) from Manor Drive Academy received a semi-final bye to secure a silver medal in the under 51kg class A.

But that pitched her against reigning champion Laylah Beecher from Tommy Coyles ABC in the final.

This was the city girl’s fourth contest, while her opponent was a boxer with ye ars of experience and over 10 fights on her record.

But Herish took the fight to Beecher and showed she would not take a step backwards.

This was a very close contest with only a few precise punches ultimately deciding the winner. Herish caught Beecher with great power shots and Beecher replied with classy southpaw counter attacks.

Herish lost by the narrowest of margins by way of a split decision, but is now number two in the country for her weight and age.

Aragosa (14) had the misfortune to be drawn against reigning champion Jimmy Baker from Rainham ABC in London in the under 48kg class B semi-final.

But the local boxer gave his all in an action-packed contest and troubled his highly-rated opponent before suffering a close points defeat.

Baker went on to win the final easily, while Aragosa had the consolation of winning a bronze medal.