WYCOMBE’S Ben Smith fell one fight short of a national title when he was beaten by Ray Hampson from Liverpool.

At stake was the title of English Junior ABA champion but, despite a courageous fightback, the High Wycombe Boxing Club fighter was unable to make up for a slow start.

He found himself 7-3 down after the first round, but a spirited second round saw him close the gap to 15-12.

He maintained that momentum until the final bell, but came up just short with a 20-19 loss.

The consolation though is a call up by England for a team match against Ireland on May 26, when he will become High Wycombe’s first international boxer.

Coach Jon MacInnes said: “Ben has made great strides this year and represented himself and the club proudly.

“He has worked very hard in and out of the gym to make all his achievements possible and we as a club are honoured to have an international amongst our ranks.

“We have to thank Adrian Moco, a former Romanian international boxer who is now coaching at our club and has pushed him to a new level, his school Holmer Green Secondary, who have been very cooperative with his time table to make his training regime possible, his friends, family and club members who travelled 200 miles to support him on Sunday, and of course his parents who have been up at all hours to drive Ben to and from training.”