TWO boys from Taunton have been recognised after competing at an international tournament last weekend.
Liam Tate and Evan Burns competed at the Wexford International Boxing Competition, held in Wexford, Ireland.
The boys box every week at Taunton Amateur Boxing Club and have built up their reputations as high-quality fighters.
Liam Tate, 14, is described as a "promising young boxer" and is already a three times county champion and national schools finalist.
During the tournament, he boxed three times in three days.
Liam boxed in the quarter finals against the Irish National champion and came away with a points win.
In the semi finals, he boxed an English national semi finalist and took away a clear unanimous win in an eye catching classy performance to earn his spot in the finals.
In the finals, he boxed Ireland's current National Champion, who also represented Ireland in the schools Europeans, and again, Liam came away with a unanimous win from all judges, in what can only be described as a "superb faultless performance totally dominating the bout".
The performance was good enough to earn him the gold medal and make him this year's Wexford International Box Cup champion 2024.
Evan Burns, 16, also western counties champion, took a big step up in entering this open class competition and proved his capabilities of boxing on such a big stage.
In his first round of the competition, he drew a multiple times Irish National Champion who has also represented Ireland on several occasions including the world junior championships.
This was a "toe to toe bout" and Evan "boxed his heart out for the full three rounds" leaving everything in the ring.
Evan came up short, narrowly losing to his high level opponent in a bout that could have gone either way.
The team at Taunton Amateur Boxing Club say there are big things to come from Evan in the future.
The boys were sponsored by Nourish Yoga and fitness and McKinlay's estate agents. to help give them this special experience.
Speaking positively after the boys competed over the weekend, one of the owners at Taunton Amateur Boxing Club said: "We opened up a new boxing club at the start of September in Taunton town centre.
"We are affiliated with England boxing and provide sessions Monday - Friday evenings for the local community.
"This weekend we took two experienced boxers to compete in the Wexford Box Cup in Ireland both local lads for our first outing.
"In the tournament, both Liam and Evan impressed, with Liam making it all the way to become champion and Evan narrowly missing out in a match that could have gone either way.
"These boys are both ones to look out for and will both be representing the club at a tournament in Swansea in two weeks and then after Xmas will be entering the Nationals."
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