EMERALDS Boxing Club coach Martin Lathbury is hoping that teenager Johnny Ward can make a big impact on the National Schoolboy ABA Championships after reaching his age group’s 52kg Western Counties final.

The 13-year-old Emeralds boxer, who lives in Sutton Benger, beat Yate ABC’s Josh Field in a Western Counties Northern Division clash last Saturday, a behind-closed-doors contest at Gloucester’s Baker Street gym.

Ward is now set to travel to Exmouth for the next round on March 8 when he will take on Jack Silk, of Lympstone ABC.

“Johnny hadn’t boxed for nine months but the other lad had only boxed the week before – we took him to a show in Worcester the week before but the other fighter that night turned up almost seven kilos heavier and the limit is only two at their level,” said Lathbury.

“He still did really well and he’s won all seven of his fights so far. Because there weren’t any shows they could fight on, they did it without an audience at the gym at Gloucester but they still had all of the judges and the doctor there.

“He’s one of the lads that joined us pretty much straight after we opened (in August 2012). He boxed for the first time for us and he’s got some talent.

“I think he definitely won’t have much trouble in the next round and we’re hoping that he can go pretty far in the nationals.”

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