DARLINGTON boxer Chris Wood suffered a narrow points defeat as Sunderland's Nissan Sports and Social Club staged the National Senior Novice Finals.

Wood, who is a member of Albert Hill ABC, was the only North-East representative as 20 finals were decided.

The County Durham fighter appeared to have landed a decisive body blow in the third round of his contest with Billy Goodhall, of London's Fisher Gym, but the referee deemed the shot a low blow and penalised Wood.

He never really recovered from the setback, but his trainer, Paul Hamilton, was happy with his efforts and expects him to move into the professional ranks soon.

Hamilton said: “Chris was the only North-East boxer to make the finals and that's quite an achievement. He has done himself proud and will have learned a lot from this tournament. He will move on, and eventually his style will be well suited by the professional game.”

Meanwhile, at the National Ambition Amateur boxing finals (formerly known as the Boys Club finals) in Leeds Irish Centre, Darlington teenager Tom Nicholson confirmed his immense potential with a comprehensive win over Ernie Rutherford.

Nicholson, who is a member of Darlington ABC, dominated all three rounds of the Class A 75kg final against Rutherford, who was representing Orpington ABC.

The 16-year-old was especially dominant in the final round and was on the verge of a stoppage, only for the final bell to save Rutherford as he received a count.

Nicholson has been well supported by his father, Mark, a well-known face on the local fight scene, and is widely touted as the most promising young boxer to emerge from Darlington in a number of years.