WATCHET teenager Andrew Woodward has gone the distance to be crowned the England Youth Amateur Boxing Association's light welterweight champion.

He beat Liverpool's Steven Mullin on points in their four round battle held at the Margate Winter Gardens in Kent.

Andrew, aged 18, is the first Watchet boxer to win a national title and has dedicated his win to the founder of the town's boxing club, Frank Kirby, who died last year.

His coach, Frank Collinson, said it had been a very close contest and Andrew's next step would be taking part in England training sessions at the beginning of May.

Andrew is a former pupil of West Somerset Community College, in Minehead, and Knight's Templar School, Watchet.

He is currently studying sports studies at East Durham College and is a member of Durham Boxing Academy.

l Mr Collinson has been appointed coach to the England team taking part in two internationals against Canada.

The first tournament is next Friday in Regina, Saskatchewan, and the second on May 7 in Moosejaw.

The appointment by the England ABA is a major step for the former West Somerset Community College teacher and Watchet ABC coach.

l Tore Moran, of Watchet Boxing Club, completed a double over Marcus McSweeney of Weston-super-Mare Boxing Club at the National Smelting Boxing Club in Bristol.

McSweeney had asked for a rematch after narrowly losing a close-fought contest several weeks earlier, but in the three 11/2 minute rounds Tore's technical and physical ability outshone his opponent in every round and he never really looked in danger, winning comfortably on a major decision.

The same evening, Robert Collins lost a majority decision to Billy Marshall of Devonport Boxing Club.

Robert gave away weight, height and reach but nonetheless put up an excellent performance against an opponent who was schoolboy champion last year and a finalist this year.

Jack Munroe boxed an opponent from Broadplain Boxing Club and, giving away both height and reach, lost on a majority decision.