BASINGSTOKE light heavyweight Bryce Goodridge stepped up to heavyweight to retain his Southern Counties belt at Whitchurch.

Last June, Goodridge won the belt, before dropping back down to light heavyweight where he he won the Haringey Boxcup.

The Basingstoke fighter returned to the heavier weight category at the Legacy Boxing Club (Andover) boxing tournament held at Longmeadow Sports Club in Whitchurch.

His opponent was boxer Dan Williams from Woking, an international for England and GB and top 10 rated boxer.

Williams natural strength at the heavier weight caused Goodridge problems when in close but the cleaner shots came from Goodridge and all three judges were in agreement which gave the Basingstoke boxer the win in his 97th amateur bout.

Also on the Whitchurch bill was 10-year-old Regan Kirby who made his ring debut in a skills bout against Hugh Jones of Andover’s ‘Alive Boxing Club.

This rounded off a good month for the club as Jacob Gabriel and Will Nimako both represented a select side in Bristol against the army team.

Gabriel boxed well to earn a good points decision over Oliver Knight at light welterweight and Nimako landed a lovely right cross to drop and stop Derek Potter at the same weight in the first round.

All three lads are now in training for April’s ABA Elite Championships.