Stubbs in a hurry to take title

CHADDERTON boxer Thomas Stubbs had little time to prepare for the north-west region 51kg title fight — but still ended up with the belt around his waist.

The two-time ABA champion was asked in the morning if he would like to appear at the Reebok Stadium that very night.

He had no hesitation in accepting the offer — and hours later he ran out an impressive winner over Macclesfield’s Amin Mahmood after stopping his opponent in round two.

The European gold-medal winner stepped up to the 51kg (flyweight), because he can no longer do 48kg (light-flyweight).

“He’s stands at 5ft 8in and can’t get down to the weight which he won two ABA titles,” said trainer Joe Pennington at Northside ABC.

“Thomas is a growing lad and he may not stop growing for a few more years yet.”

Another Northside boxer, Adam Little, beat Jason McArdle on points (Middleton Select) to win the 64kg (light-welterweight) section.

The north-west championships is a new competition, which has been set up to offer amateur boxers the chance of gaining more experience.