BERE Alston boxer Des Newton secured his spot in the national boxing championship finals in Sunderland.

Des, who boxes for Plympton ABC, and his trainers made the trip up to the Isle of Sheppy in Kent for the semi finals of the tournament.

The light welterweight (60-64 kilos) found himself 0.8kg over the required weight. Newton dressed himself in as many clothes as he had and went for a two mile run down to the beach and back, followed by a ten minute skip and, after a second attempt, eventually tipped the scales to satisfy the referee.

His opponent was Will Nimako of Basingstoke with a record of 13 fights 11 wins and stood a towering 6ft 1inches tall.

From the start it was not going in Newton's favour; he had already used up energy to make weight and he was five inches shorter than his opponent.

The bell sounded, both fighters came out, Des took centre of the ring with Nimako clearly a slick counter puncher. Newton kept a tight guard and was cutting the ring off and unloading big shots when in close.

The second round saw Nimako clearly not comfortable with Newton's power and was on the back foot running away.

In the third Newton clearly upped the gears and put relentless pressure onto his retreating opponent, throwing punches through the entire round catching Nimako with hurtful shots. The final bell sounded and Newton took the verdict and is now through to the finals in Sunderland next Sunday.