LUDLOW Amateur Boxing Club's James Key is the Midlands champion in the England Development Championships.

Key beat Daniel Butterly from Tom Lowe Amateur Boxing Club in Staffordshire by a unanimous points decision at the 60kg national fight in Birmingham last Sunday.

The 22-year-old will now go forward to represent the Midlands in the national finals.

"I'm really happy with the win because I have been training hard with my coach Colin Woodfield," said Key, who will receive a a title vest as well as a certificate.

"I put in a lot of practise and it made me really solid.

"My mate Chris Preece, who is part of the club, and my coaches came to watch me and it was great to get the win.

"The aim now is to is to keep it going and doing things right.

"I started at the club when I was 14, but left at 16 to join the Army.

"But I was medically discharged when I was 18.

"I have always been interested in boxing and decided to be fully committed this year with my fitness and diet."

Key will be in action tomorrow (Friday) when the boxing club will put on its annual show.

Up to 13 bouts will be on offer at Ludlow Racecourse, with the action set to get underway from around 8pm.

"We will also have Terry Dean Smith, Chadd Woodfield, Ben Bywater and Chris Preece fighting," said coach Colin Woodfield.

"Max Weaver will also be putting on a skills bout because he is only 10 and you cannot box in England until you are 11.

"We are really looking forward to the show."