THE North-East could celebrate plenty of success when seven of the region's young boxers were crowned national junior champion.

Brandon Boxing Club’s Georgia O’Connor was crowned a winner at the Junior National Championship Finals for the third time when she made a successful defence of her British title against the visiting Amy Cooper from Gosport in Birtley.

O’Connor, who recently turned 16 and resides in Waterhouses, was one of seven successful amateurs from the area to claim the national title in respective weight classes as she was joined by Dunston’s Sophie Rogers, Birtley’s Dan Toward, Newton Aycliffe’s James Lepoidevin, Darlington’s William Ward, Birtley's Jacob Dickinson and Hartlepool Catholic’s Dylan Skedd on the winners’ rostrum. There were a further five who reached that stage.

Victory for Brandon’s starlet continues her unbeaten record on home soil with her only two reverses from ten outings coming when she claimed a European Bronze in Hungary (losing to Russia’s world number one) and a Balkan Silver in Bulgaria during 2015.

Now that path ahead is set with a step up to youth level imminent she will be looking at going back to the European Championships later this year, the World Games in 2017 and then, come 2020, a realisation of a dream in heading to Tokyo for the Olympics.

First though it’s a celebration of becoming three-time British Junior champion, and the small matter of both the Hull Box Cup in June and the Monkstown Dublin Box Cup in July to contend with. Both tournaments are prestigious in the amateur fight game and gives the juniors a chance to shine on a big stage.

O'Connor said: “It’s been a rough few months due to cancellations and I needed to fight twice this time around to retain my title.

“Winning the semis a few weeks ago was a really good, comfortable fight for me but the final, against Amy Cooper, was trickier as she was more experienced. I feel great though and really proud of myself and what I have achieved. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support my parents have shown me, what they have sacrificed for me since I was four first with taekwondo and now boxing; as well as my coaches Alex (Oliver) and Simon (Patterson) at Brandon.

“We’re now looking ahead, first to the Tri-Nations, then the Hull and Monkstown Box Cup’s. I want to keep busy and have as many fights as I can though and I’m proud of the record I have and what I have accomplished so far.”

In getting to Monkstown in July, O’Connor is looking for sponsors to help with the journey, a one she hopes will continue on to Tokyo in four years’ time and she’s appreciative of the support shown so far.

She added: “Victoria McGovern is organising a sponsored boxathon for me to try to raise some funds. That should be a great occasion and I appreciate the support she, and others, are affording me.”

Results involving North-East fighters:

Junior 40kg Sophie Rogers (Dunston) beat Courtney Boyle (Doncaster South) TKO; Junior 44kg Aaron Lawrence (Fairburn) beat Alfie Swalwell (Phil Thomas School of Boxing) pts unan; Junior 57kg Jacob Dickinson (Birtley) beat Francie McDonagh (Hooks) pts unan; Cadet 38kg Harvey Smith (Repton) beat Shane McAuley (Shildon) pts unan; Junior 57kg Caroline Dubois Fisher) beat Jade Morrison (Birtley) pts unan; Junior 70kg Georgia O'Connor (Brandon) beat Amy Cooper (Gosport) pts unan; Junior 70kg Levi Frankham (The Ring) beat Drew Davidson (Lambton Street) pts unan; Cadet 48kg William Ward (Darlington) beat Andrew Taylor (Pinewood Star) pts split; Cadet 54kg Dan Toward (Birtley) beat Vinny Mandair (Southampton) pts unan; Cadet 40kg Dylan Skedd (Hartlepool Catholic) beat Liam Finlay (Sparta) pts unan; Cadet 60kg James Lepoidevin (Aycliffe) beat Cameron Beech (St Mary’s) pts unan; Junior 54kg Henry Turner (Repton) beat Joe Tyres (Darlington) pts unan.