Berinsfield’s Will Healy is the first Oxfordshire boxer to bid for a title as the new season gets under way withthe opening round of the Clubs for Young People championships in Newbury tomorrow.

He tackles Michael Ballingall, from the Heart of Portsmouth gym, in the Class A (born 1994) lightweight category in the first stage of the competition that brings together contenders from Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire at Trinity School.

Healy, 16, was voted best stylist at the 2009-10 Berinsfield end-of-season awards after his ringcraft improved tremendously over the previous 12 months.

And he ended the campaign in style with a polished win over Home Counties Junior ABA champion Max Higgins, of Watford.

Now Healy looks to claim the 12th win of his career against his Pompey rival and claim a place in the second stage of the competition at Bristol later this month.

Berinsfield coach Mel Corrigan said: “It would have been ideal for Will to get a bout under his belt ahead of these championships, but it will be the same for both boys.

“The pair have never met before, but the Portsmouth gym has a reputation for having their lads well prepared.

“We are expecting a tough contest and that is precisely what we have trained for.”

Should he overcome Ballingall, Healy will join Oxford Boxing Academy’s Ben Kaluza, who has a walkover at Newbury in the Class B (born 1993) welterweight division.