RYAN Butler and Rio Emmins will have more national glory in their sights when they step into the boxing ring this weekend.
Berry Boys ABC’s Butler and Billericay & Wickford’s Emmins are in the semi-finals of the NABGC competition at Portsmouth on Saturday.
And victory will put them in the final next week, where they would join three other fighters from Billericay & Wickford.
Butler, who lives in Wickford, won his first ABA Junior Cadet Championship title in 2014 at 80kg level and defended his crown this year.
He faces Jake Carr from Bournemouth's Arena ABC in his 80kg-plus semi-final.
Billericay & Wickford ABC's Rio Emmins is on the trail of his second national crown
And Emmins, who is from Basildon, became Billericay & Wickford’s first national champion when he claimed the ABA Junior Cadet Championship 48kg crown in March.
Emmins will take on Ring ABC’s Jamal Khan who has boxed for England previously.
Billericay & Wickford’s Joe Giles has a walkover to the 91kg final, as have club-mates Kariss Barwick (57kg) and Jessica Lelliot (69kg).
It is the first time girls have fought in the championship in its 50-year history.
l Berry’s Shay Norman secured a split decision points win over M Stuart (Cheshunt ABC) at the club’s show at James Hornsby School on Saturday.
But Lenny Neal and Luke Brickwood lost on points to C Bozzia (St Albans) and J Blore (Halstead) respectively.
Lenny’s twin brother Peter made his debut in the ring in a no-decision skills bout against R Halder (East London ABC).
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