TENBURY trio Ryan Jones, Anton Esson and Amali Davis were the stars of the show as local boxing coach Martin Brennan led an ‘England Select’ team to victory at an international meeting in Ireland.

Brennan – who runs Ludlow rehabilitation centre Bluestone as well as Paddy Brennan’s Boxing Academy in Tenbury – took ten fighters to the Raphoe ABC event in Donegal, with seven emerging triumphant.

Among them was schoolboy Jones, who claimed ‘visiting boxer of the night’ honours thanks to his unanimous decision win over Clonmany’s Kyle McGonigle in the opening 44kg boys’ bout.

Davis took a 4-1 split decision against Letterkenny’s Cillin Boyce in a senior 60kg fight while Esson wasted no time in ending the night of stand-in opponent Bernard McGovern.

The slick and skilful Esson had McGovern on the canvas twice inside 30 seconds, leading to a first-round stoppage of their senior 64kg bout.

Proud coach Brennan said: “The boxers were incredible and really rose to the occasion.

“To take a fight in Ireland’s backyard takes enormous courage because the Irish are very competitive and want to beat you even playing Ludo!

“The weekend was a roaring success – our sixth tournament to date and our best so far.

“A big thank you to all the coaches and boxers and we are looking forward to seeing our Irish counterparts next year for our seventh meeting.”

The trip was followed by Channel 4 cameras for a documentary on Brennan and his work as both a boxing coach and rehabilitation centre manager.

The other winners for Brennan’s team – which also featured fighters from Worcester ABC, Finchley ABC and Baker Street ABC – were Jesse Brandon, Patrick Morgan, James Scarrot and Thomas Hunter.