FIVE Stevenage boxers are through to the national quarter-finals of the Golden Gloves competition. The five will be in action in the next round against London at Rainham this Sunday. A quartet progressed from the zone finals against Eastern Counties at th

FIVE Stevenage boxers are through to the national quarter-finals of the Golden Gloves competition.

The five will be in action in the next round against London at Rainham this Sunday.

A quartet progressed from the zone finals against Eastern Counties at the Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech on Saturday.

First Stevenage boxer to go through was Tommy Grice in the class two under-36kgs section. He was up against last season's national finalist, Basildon's Luke Chambers.

Grice gave an excellent account, making full use of his height advantage to pick off Chambers with long raking jabs and right crosses.

There was no argument when he secured a comfortable points win.

Last year's beaten finalist Tyson Price was next up.

Price, who travels to the Broadwater club three times a week from his Guildford home, was up against old foe Luke Coppin (Ongar ABC, Essex) in the class two under-38kgs category.

He was pushed all the way by the determined Essex lad but his cleaner punching earned a narrow 3-2 win on points.

Ryan Smith, in the class two under-52kgs section, was up against Joe Payne of the March ABC in Cambridgeshire.

He showed excellent ring craft and footwork to frustrate his Fenland opponent and do enough to progress to the national last eight.

The club's reigning Golden Gloves champ Terry Holmes boxed against the very capable Lewis Walker (Canvey Island).

It was his first fight of the season as no-one had wanted to box him outside of the championships.

Walker, who had lost only three of his previous 19 contests, was overpowered by the aggressive approach from Holmes.

Nathan Horne was their only beaten fighter on the night. He lost on a close decision to the more experienced Craig Bunning from Norwich in the class three under-52kgs section.

P Female boxer Michelle Smith made an explosive debut at Stowmarket on Friday night. She was up against local girl Carly Sundalskin (60kgs category).

After an even first round, the southpaw found her range and delivered the perfect knockout punch. Her opponent recovered to leave the ring unaided.