England come calling for Golden Ring star Stringer (From Daily Echo)

England come calling for Golden Ring star Jack Stringer

12:07pm Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Boxing By Adam Leitch, Chief Sports Writer

JACK Stringer will box for England after becoming Junior ABA champion.

The 15-year-old, who boxes for Southampton’s Golden Ring ABC, won the prestigious Golden Gloves title after beating much fancied Patrick McCann (Kettering) in the national final of the class 4 70kg division in Yorkshire.

McCann had only previously been defeated twice in 34 contests – and both of those at European and international level , meaning Stringer was the first British boxer to beat him.

It was a stirring performance from Stringer who was determined to seize the initiative from the start.

He worked McCann’s body in the first round to try and steal his energy from him and came back a little disappointed to only be level at 5- 5.

In the second round Stringer got caught a couple of times early on failing to get out of range but stepped things up by the time the bell went and had opened up a 13-10 advantage.

With the title on the line, Stringer made sure there was no way back for McCann in the final round as he continued to keep the fight at a high tempo and his fitness told as he ended the contest a 26-19 winner.

The victory not only means a hugely prestigious title but also the chance to box for England against Ireland in a fortnight and the opportunity to represent his country at the Three Nations tournament in Edinburgh at the end of June.

Stringer’s win was a proud day for the fighter, his family and also Golden Ring.

Delighted coach Stuart Gill said: “It’s a phenomenal achievement from Jack.

“I spoke to the south of England coach before the fight and he said he had seen Jack box a few times recently and fancied him to cause an upset. I said I did too – and most importantly so did Jack.

“Jack had lost to McCann before and had been desperate to fight him again but we waited until a big competition and ended up facing him in the final.

“Sometimes the problem a lad like McCann can have is that they win so often and struggle to get fights that they just don’t think they need to have such an edge.

“That gave us our game plan and Jack was determined to get in there and win.

“That extra fitness really told and at the end he really deserved it.”