Young England boxer Mantana Price just misses out on the best in England title by narrowest of margins

Newark Amateur Boxing Club’s Mantana Price made the trip to Bridlington Sports Hall to take part in the National Association of Boys and girls clubs (NABGC) Final.

He was awarded a silver medal for his achievements in the competition.

Having already defeated an opponent with a record of over 25 wins in the Semi-Finals, for this bout, 16-year-old Mantana was up against Rainham ABC’s Medhi Sahak.

Sahak is a tricky southpaw with twice as many wins on his record as the Newarker has had fights overall.

“Despite this, the exchanges and rounds were all closely contested and after the third and final one came to an end, we were all gutted when the win went to Medhi by a split decision,” said Suggy’s Gym head coach Dean Sugden.

“At the end of the first round, which had been nip and tuck, we told Mantana to go back out there and apply pressure but Medhi made it awkward by holding on inside.

“And when two opposite stances meet, sometimes the feet cross over and clash which is exactly what happened in round two, giving Mantana’s opponent a chance to land a clean shot as the feet got caught up.

"But that was probably the only difference in the second, splitting what was another close round.

“With all to play for in the last round, both boxers tried to get the edge but although we were all hopeful Mantana had done the impossible against such an experienced opponent the split decision, unfortunately, went the other way."