BASINGSTOKE boxers Jacob Gabriel and Bryce Goodridge fought their way into the final stages of the National Elite Championships, which will take place at Liverpool’s Echo Arena later this month.

Light welterweight Gabriel had to win three fights to secure his Southern Counties title.

He reached the final thanks to points wins over Hastings’ Ben White and Martin McDonagh of Rumbles Boxing Academy in Kent.

This left Brighton’s Harlem Eubank, the nephew of former world boxing champion Chris Eubank, standing in his way for the title. However, he did not last long as Gabriel produced an excellent second round stoppage, forcing three counts.

After winning the Southern Counties title, Gabriel has been seeded number three in England, putting him straight through to the final stages in Liverpool.

Goodridge entered the competition at light heavyweight and was the only entry in the Southern Counties event.

He went straight to the pre quarter-final stage of the National Elite Championships, where he was drawn against the Western Counties champion, Dylan Courtney of Camborne and Redruth Boxing Club.

Goodridge booked his place in the last eight in Liverpool by dominating the bout, winning unanimously and forcing a count in the last round, when a hard right hand knocked the Cornishman’s gum shield out.

It has been a number of years since Basingstoke Boxing Club has had two boxers reach the final stages of the Elite Champ-ionships, which were formerly known as the ABA Championships.