Shropshire coach Brian Robb has launched an angry assault on the English Amateur Boxing Association after Shane Enright’s bid for a third British junior title at a third different weight was controversially ended.

The 18-year-old from Shrewsbury ABC (pictured) had looked set for a walkover to the title in the 80kgs category when his Welsh and Scottish rivals withdrew from the event.

But the English selectors instead elected to allow junior 90kgs ABA champion Alfie Sacke, from Crewe, to lose the two kilograms he required to move down to the 80kgs category to take on Enright in his last ever junior bout.

A 12-8 defeat followed for the Shropshire youngster – a result which did little to lighten the mood of Robb who felt his charge had enjoyed the best of the exchanges.

“I find it incredible that the selectors can put together two English kids and get one down to 80kgs from 90kgs where he had won the national title,” said Robb.

“If they had done that, why didn’t they let Shane come down to the 75kgs category where he usually fights?

“We only found out two weeks before the competition that Shane would be fighting for England and that was no time for him to get fully fit.

“The people who let this go on should be ashamed of themselves – it’s an absolute disgrace.”

A barrage of shots which rocked Sacke helped Enright open up a 3-0 lead at the end of the first round, before the Crewe boxer came back to win the next 2-1.

Sacke cut Enright’s nose in the third – a round he won 4-0 – to take him 6-4 to the good.

And, despite a strong start to the concluding round from Enright, Sacke was awarded the fourth 6-4 and the fight 12-8.

“I couldn’t see where Sacke caught Shane once in the last round,” added Robb. “I don’t know if he threw a punch – he certainly didn’t throw six for a 6-4 score.

“We were disappointed with what happened but Shane will pick himself up – get back to his natural weight of 75kgs and prepare for becoming a senior.

“Our first show will be in October and we will try and get him on there and then enter the senior ABAs.”

By James Garrison