TIVERTON light-heavyweight Harry Davey is the new Western Counties champion.

At Perrenporth on Saturday he won a split decision to wrest the title from reigning champion Will Jeffries of St Ives Bay.

Tiverton ABC coach Paul Harvey said: “It was a fantastic win for Harry. Tonight he showed both his will-to- win and his resilience.

“I can hardly believe it – it’s a truly great achievement for him and the club.”

Davey now goes through to the national quarter finals where he will box the Home Counties champion.

Jeffries started the first round with some slick foot work and fast hands while Davey stalked him, applying as much pressure as he could.

Jeffries had the quicker hand speed but Davey kept his guard high taking most of Jeffries’ punches on his arms.

Davey continued to march forward and at the end of the round started to land his big, hurtful shots as he trapped Jeffries on the ropes.

Round two was a big one for Davey. He again caught Jeffries on the ropes with thunderous right hands, causing the champion’s nose to bleed quite heavily.

Jeffries, wary of Davey’s power, was still trying to box but mid-way through the second the Tiverton boxer caught Jeffries with a sharp jab, forcing the referee to give a standing eight count.

In the final round Jeffries continued to box from the ropes as Davey stalked him round the ring.

Every time Davey trapped Jeffries on the ropes he had him in trouble and did enough to claim the verdict.

The previous evening Tiverton had two boxers in action in Poole.

Harry Evans boxed Southampton’s highly-talented Albi Samways in a schoolboy contest over three one-and- a-half minute rounds and lost a unanimous decision Team-mate Callan Bryant lost on a really tight split decision to Poole’s Connor Edwards.

Harvey said: “The bout could have gone either way but I think Edwards just nicked it on work-rate.

“It was disappointing we came away with two defeats but both gave 100% and that’s all you can ask.

“Both Harry and Callan are still learning and you’re not going to be the finished article after four bouts.”