Bradford’s Ryan Laybourn was proud as punch after winning the cruiserweight final at the Senior Novice Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) Championships.

The 20-year-old, who boxes for the Huggy’s Platinum Amateur Club, was always in command on the way a ten-point victory over Empire opponent David Bailey in Portsmouth.

But there was agony for Laybourn’s light-welter clubmate Mohammed Nadeem, who was beaten on countback in a tense final against Zubeer Mohammed (Fitzroy Lodge).

Laybourn powered his way to a convincing 27-17 verdict and drew praise from his beaten rival.

Gym owner Huggy Osman said: “Ryan stood his ground and really pushed him back.

“The kid usually spars with heavyweights and told him that they couldn’t even do that.”

Confidence had been an issue with Laybourn but trainer David Nelson insists that is no longer the case.

“Ryan is flying high after that,” said Nelson. “Maybe at the beginning of the championships he wasn’t too sure but he went in there and boxed brilliantly.

“He can really go on from here but we’re not going to rush things. Time is on our side so we can build him up slowly.”

Nadeem had been pencilled in for a shot at the senior ABAs but that is likely to be put on hold after his narrow defeat.

The scores finished locked on 12 but he went down 27-21 on the countback system.

Having progressed to the final so impressively, he looked flat in the ring and faded over the last round.

Osman added: “Nadeem was devastated to lose but he will get over it. He’s mentally strong and we all know he will come back from this setback.”