GWENT'S top ranked British flyweight, Matt-hew Edmonds, pictured, retained his crown at the Welsh ABA senior boxing championships at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre.
The St Josephs ABC, Newport, boxer was much too good for Trelewis' David Jamieson, the referee stopping the contest in the third and final round of a one-sided contest.
Edmonds' victory made it a double for the Newport club for light-flyweight Mohamed Nasir won his title on a walkover. The double helped St Josephs take the trophy for the club obtaining most points at the championship.
In winning his third successive title, Edmonds equalled a record at his weight set in the 1970s by Cardiff boxer Maurice O'Sullivan. "I had too much experience for Jamieson," said Edmonds. "He took two standing counts in the second round and another in the third after a series of combination punches and when I had him pinned on the ropes again the referee stepped in."
Edmonds is probably Wales' best hope of having a boxer in this year's British Olympic Games team.
After a training camp in Brecon this weekend Edmonds has three chances of staking an Olympics place.
To do so he has to win a medal either at the European Championships in Croatia later this month or at international events in Poland (March) or Sweden (April).
Former Welsh professional boxer Tony Borg, who has trained Edmonds for four years, said: "He is improving all the time and is as dedicated as any professional. He loves the game.
"His employers, White Brothers and Speed Ltd. (based on the Leeway Industrial Estate) have been magnificent in allowing him so much time off for training, competitions etc."
Edmonds added: "I have to thank them. They have been brilliant. If I make the Olympics a lot will be down to them."
Nasir boxed Cwmbran BC's Leon Roberts in a non championship contest at Ebbw Vale and won a unanimous points decision. He too could be off to the European Championships.
Super-heavyweight Darren Morgan of Bonymaen was another to win a title on a walkover when Splott's David Mais withdrew.
Carmarthen's Kevin Evans, like Edmonds ranked in the top three in Britain, retained the heavyweight title when his fight with Trostre's Owen Harris was stopped in the second round.
Results: light-flyweight, Mohamed Nasir (St Josephs), walkover; flyweight, Matthew Edmonds (St Josephs) bt David Jamieson (Trelewis) rsc 3rd; bantamweight, Ricky Owen (Gwent, Swansea) bt Nathan Probert (Pembroke) points; featherweight, David Davies (Merthyr) bt Darren Edwards (Cwmavon) points (26-19); lightweight, Peter Ashton (Cwmavon) bt Gareth Couch (Thame) points (21-19); light-welterweight, Barry Jones (Ferndale) bt Robbie James (Merthyr Ex) points (30-21); welterweight, Aaron Thomas (Clwyd) bt William Lukins (Splott) points (14-14, 66-65 on countback); middleweight, Leon Owen (Portmead and Blaenymaes) bt Wayne O'Sullivan (Cardigan) points (17-16); light-heavyweight, James Whitfield (Army) bt Justin Jones (Clwyd) points (18-12); heavyweight, Kevin Evans (Carmarthen) bt Owen Harries (Trostre) rsc 2nd; super-heavyweight, Darren Morgan (Bonymaen) walked over.
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