AFTER six weeks of fighting every weekend and travelling thousands of miles Bere Alston boxer Des Newton is crowned national light welterweight champion.

Newton of Plympton ABC and his coaches Barry and Phil Dann were driven all the way to Sunderland for the finals of the national championships, they had driven more than 400 miles for the event and owe a big thank you to Plymouth based Matt Stott for providing a car and driving to these venues.

All the fighters arrived at the venue of Rainton Meadows arena on Sunday morning for the weigh in.

After last weekend Newton was worried about his weight but weighed in well inside the limit, weighing 63.2kg, His opponent was Nathaniel Heymans-Ney of North Mersey ABC who weighed 63.8kg although much taller than Newton. Heymans-Ney held an impressive record of 14 fights 13 wins and only a single defeat.

After both fighters walked to the ring and entered it they were both introduced to the crowd and when Newton's name was called the arena lifted, Newton had 25 friends and family members make the long journey up to support him in what was going to be his biggest fight to date. After the formalities done, it was time to lock horns and fight for the title of national champion.

The first bell sounded and both fighters went at it with both trying to establish their jabs. Throughout the round Newton look to be landing cleaner punches and by the end of the first Newton appeared to be in complete control.

Start of the second Newton came out 'like a bull' and pressed his opponent back with a constant barrage of punches switching from body to head. The referee jumped in when a clean left hook had Heymans-Ney out on his feet. He was given a standing eight count and the referee deemed him fit to continue. Newton though did not let up and punished his opponent with fitness and power.

In the last and final round Newton came out with a statement and out classed his opponent and the referee jumped in and stopped the fight. Newton was crowned national champion via a third round technical knock-out.