By ADAM LAZZARI BOXERS Charlie Stevens and Connor Crosby have done Fenland proud, according to their coach Bernie Wing. The fighters, from Upwell, lost their national Royal Navy Schools ABAE Championship finals on points, in Dagenham on Sunday. Reigning c

By ADAM LAZZARI

BOXERS Charlie Stevens and Connor Crosby have done Fenland proud, according to their coach Bernie Wing.

The fighters, from Upwell, lost their national Royal Navy Schools ABAE Championship finals on points, in Dagenham on Sunday.

Reigning champion Stevens, 13, (under-48kg) lost to Hammed Mamood, who is trained by world champion Amir Khan's first coach Mick Jelley at Bury Amateur Boxing Club, Greater Manchester.

Crosby, 12, (under-38kg) was beaten by a fighter who shares his name with the biggest name in boxing history, Muhammad Ali.

Wing, who coaches the Fenland punchers at March Amateur Boxing Club, said: "I'm proud of them both for getting to national finals.

"They've brought prestige to March Boxing Club and to the area as a whole.

"They were both back at the gym training hard the day after their defeats. That shows they've moved on and are preparing to get back on to the big stage again.

"Charlie's watched a DVD of his fight and seen where he needs to improve. He said he will work on these areas. It shows the maturity of the lad."

Stevens, who was fighting just his second bout of the season after a series of late call-offs was leading 7-5 after the first round, but was given standing eight counts in the second and third as Mamood went on for victory.

Crosby lost every round.

Wing said: "They came up against very good boxers but both dished it out and landed some good shots.

"If Charlie had been in more fights he would have been a bit sharper and he might have won.

"Connor did superbly well to stick to his plan and keep the other boy under pressure.

"It's back to club boxing now. We've got several talented boxers at the club and they've taken a bit of a back seat while we've prepared the boys for the nationals."

March ABC will be involved in an open show in Norwich at the end of the month.