TIVERTON ABC’s Alex Jones underlined his great potential with a split decision over Devonport’s Darren Townley on Exeter’s ABC’s show at the Lemon Grove on Saturday night.

Jones, who is 18, produced a brilliant performance against his 27-year-old opponent.

The first round was closely contested although Jones did catch Townley right on the bell with a peach of a left hook.

In the second Jones boxed superbly, drawing Townley’s lead and catching him with hooks and uppercuts then using great footwork to make Townley miss.

Jones was now growing in confidence and started to dominate landing his fav-oured body-shot. He continued to force the bout in the third to take the decision.

Coach Paul Harvey said: “What a performance that was. A lot of people would have thought an 18-year-old against a 27-year-old man would have been a mis-match.

“But Alex is one of those boxers who comes along only once in a while and what a boxer he his.

“I don't think we’ve had anyone as tough or with as much heart as long as i have been running the club.

“I’m proud to have coached him and watch him develop over the years into a top class boxer.”

On the same bill Phil Pearce also won on a split points decision against Falmouths Sam Wood in a rip-roaring contest.

Pearce marched forward for all three rounds, putting pressure on his opponent.

Wood tried to keep his distance and pick Pearce off at long range but the Tiverton boxer was relentless as he marched forward throwing clusters of punches.

Harvey said: “It was brilliant that Phil has won. It was no more than he deserved after coming so close in Torbay last month and all the effort and hard work he puts into training.”

Top of the bill was the rubber match at welterweight between Tiverton’s Brad Riggs and Paignton’s Jake Abraham. Abraham won on points after three hard and fast rounds.

Harvey said: “Brad’s better at light-welter but there’s no sour grapes over the decision. Abraham thoroughly des-erved his victory and Brad will bounce back in the New Year.