NATHAN FORREST delivered a devastating finish to be crowned Northern Area lightweight champion at the Rainton Arena. Having conceded the first two rounds to Co Durham neighbour Kai Richmond in this Jobes Boxing event, Forrest wobbled the Spennymoor fighter early in the third with a left hook to the body and a right to the head. The unbeaten Bishop Auckland boxer was all over him and Richmond was rescued at 0-53 by referee Ron Kearney. The derby for the vacant belt was a cracker. Thomas Patrick Ward made a slick return 54 weeks after his maiden defeat, to the formidable Otabek Kholmatov. The West Rainton featherweight dominated Tanzanian Amani Bariki, 80-71 for referee Neil Close.
After a 50-week absence, unbeaten Jeff Saunders needed the six rounds against Romania’s Octavian Gratii. Dean Wilson controlled the action, with Mr Kearney scoring 60-54 from outside for the Sedgefield man.