PROMISING Furness Catholic ABC boxer Evan Jones is looking to bounce back after illness ended his chances of glory in the North West Region Championships final.

Appearing in the final for the second year running, the 13-year-old Dowdales School pupil faced Tom Healy, from Macclesfield Boys Club, and boxed brilliantly in the first two rounds.

Jones used his long jab to good effect to score points and push his opponent back, before opening up with well-timed combinations.

However, his hopes of victory were ended in cruel circumstances, when a bout of illness in the third round forced the Team Ryan coaches to retire him.

Jones was understandably disappointed after performing so well, but with more contests lined up in the coming months, the future is looking very bright.

Furness Catholic ABC coach Paul Ryan said: "Welfare of the boxers is paramount and, although Evan was winning the contest, the health and well-being of our boxers is more important than anything.

"Evan consistently boxes to a high level and is always learning and striving to improve, whether it is sparring in the gym or learning how to improve as each bout goes by.

"Evan is always one of the first through the doors of the gym and helps out putting some of the younger, less experienced boxers through their paces on the pads and other equipment.

"It's easy to forget that Evan is only 13 years -old, as he towers above many of the senior boxers who come to the gym. He certainly gives them a headache in the ring too!"

Jones has boxed some quality opponents who have won national championship titles on more than one occasion.

Added Ryan: "His experience in the ring pales in comparison to theirs, but once in the ring they are always 50/50 bouts and it shows that Evan belongs at this advanced level.

"In Liverpool, Evan's opponent from Salisbury ABC looked like he had been in a war and had ice packs on his arms, yet Evan took it all in his stride. You wouldn’t believe they were in the same ring together."