PAUL O’Reilly produced one of the best performances of his career to cause an upset and win the regional Novice Championship title by a unanimous decision last Sunday.

The Barrow ABC boxer was up against Jack Phoenix of renowned Preston club Larches & Savick ABC, whose graduates include Commonwealth Games silver medallist Scott Fitzgerald.

However, O’Reilly deployed his game-plan to perfection and scored victory by the judges ringside to claim the title – much to the delight of Barrow head coach Jeff Moses.

“Paul went in as the underdog because he thought this lad would be too strong for him,” said Moses. “But we worked on that and expected it, and Paul boxed superbly.

“It’s the best bout he’s had because he threw some straight shots, which he doesn’t normally do, and he won unanimously. So we’ve got three champions all going through to the next round.”

Ethan Holt was crowned winner of his weight division in the junior competition, but was left disappointed as his slated opponent was unable to fight on the day after being withdrawn on medical grounds.

Holt and O’Reilly will be joined at the national pre-quarter-final stage by James Braithwaite, who was out boxing in Holland in front of a 1,200-strong crowd last Saturday as part of the North West representative squad along with club-mate Ethan Doyle.

Braithwaite suffered a cut above his eye caused by an accidental clash of heads early on in his contest against Nabil Yousfi and, despite recovering from that setback to knock down his opponent twice, he suffered a split-decision defeat.

Doyle was taking part in his first senior contest, which meant boxing without a headguard for the first time, and put in an impressive performance as he was edged out in a split-decision against Dave Zwanenburg.

Braithwaite and Doyle impressed so much that they have both been invited to join the squad for a trip to Jersey later this month, although work commitments mean the latter is unable to go.

However, his place will be taken by another member of the Brook Street gym, Mason Strickland, with Moses always making sure all of his carded boxers are ready to take opportunities like this should they arise.

“They’re the same age, Mason is slightly lighter, but I told him to step in and get there because he’s joining the Parachute Regiment and going through training now,” said Moses. “It won’t do him any harm, he’ll get some bouts in, put him in good stead and they’ll both be flying out on October 14.”

“That’s why I make sure the whole club is up to fitness, so if we get a call at short notice they’re ready to go and they won’t miss out.”

Holt, O’Reilly and Braithwaite are not the only boxers who have bouts coming up, with Steve Eilbeck preparing for his contest in the national belt championship too.

And Ella Gill is waiting to find out whether she will be competing in championship action or boxing on a show in Shildon soon, depending on whether she is handed a bye in the draw or not.