OXFORD Boxing Academy’s Ben Kaluza is through to the semi-finals of this year’s ABA junior novices at Southampton on November 16 after receiving a walk-over in the last stage of the competition.

But the 15-year-old Bicester featherweight should have been joined on the trip to the south coast by Clinton Townsend – the gym’s other contender in the same age group – who was the victim of a hotly-disputed decision in London.

He was controversially outpointed by Billericay rival Steve Wood, who looked surprised when his arm was raised in triumph.

Nimble Townsend looked to have bossed their flyweight encounter with well-placed shots to both head and body throughout the bout and was devastated when the verdict was given.

Berinsfield bantamweight Richard Tyler lost, but earned considerable praise for his performance during his England Youth debut at Cardiff.

Sean McGoldrick, his Newport opponent, tried to overwhelm the Oxfordshire teenager from the start.

Tyler retained his composure and started to match him punch for punch after the interval.

But McGoldrick’s early pressure proved decisive in just edging the decision.

At Swansea, Ian Jenkins moved up a division as he tackled Combined Services light heavyweight champion Peter Ormston, but it proved no problem for the Welsh international, who recorded a clear points win.

Welterweight Stuart Garman, 22, got his campaign off to a winning start with a unanimous decision over Ferry Street rival Tom Parham at King’s Lynn.

Christy Joyce, 14, completed a hat-trick of wins for the Berinsfield outfit with a polished points victory over Lee Wilkins from host gym Salisbury.

  • BERINSFIED host the opening round of this season’s ABA senior novice championships at their gym in Fane Drive tomorrow (1.30pm). Admission is £5.