Two Western Counties champions
BILLY LE POULLAIN and Chris Sumner will start their search for national glory this weekend after both secured Western Counties senior titles for the first time in Weymouth.
The young Amalgamated Club duo – both raised in Alderney and now the Sarnian club's two star names – were in final action of the regional championships last Saturday.
Both faced tough tests against proven national performers but came through their clashes with unanimous points victories each and a spot in the national ABA 'pre-quarters' in Liverpool in four days' time.
Le Poullain went into his welterweight fight as underdog against Jack Langford, who has had over 100 fights and reached the ABA semi-finals two years ago, losing only to Olympic boxer Anthony Fowler.
But the 20-year-old dominated, including giving Langford a standing count in the second round.
Next up for Le Poullain is Southern Counties champion Felix Kelly on Saturday at the Croxteth Leisure Centre in what is effectively a last-16 fight.
On the same afternoon Sumner will face Home Counties champion Fateh Benkorichi, with wins for either local star earning them a spot at the finals tournament a week later at the city's prestigious Echo Arena.
Sumner booked his spot there with a superb win of his own, as he outclassed reigning Western Counties champion Liam Laird in the light-welterweight division.
Like Le Poullain, it meant a title at his first attempt at senior level.
More in Tuesdays Guernsey Press.
