Dale Youth's boxing show last week was in terms of results - less than a knockout - but there again the Westbourne Grove club didn't get the best of help from the judges, writes Paul Warburton.

There were dark mutterings that officials envious of the club's Olympic gold from James DeGale, there to present the prizes, saw one or two marginal decisions go the other way.

Harriboy Disson had an even bout against two-time Golden Gloves champion Thomas Halliman from Shildon, with a tremendous last round from the west Londoner - but was reduced to tears when he learned the judges amazingly scored it as a unanimous win to the north-easterner.

Alfie Smith (39 kilos), Harry Connolly and Martin Ward (36 kilos) and Harriboy's brother, Alfie Disson, all got a knockback as the judges decided for the opposite corner.

Senior Charlie Puddles fared no better against M Halliman, also from Shildon.

It was just Dale's luck that with 13-year-old Max Fenn winning against A Henderson of the Walcot Club, Swindon, the west Londoner had to be retired when he started vomiting owing to an upset stomach.

However, the silver lining was produced by Daniel Dubois as the 11-year-old in his debut fight stopped Callum Wells from Walcot in the second round.

Paul Fanneran was also a convincing winner in the 64kilo contest against Tommy Tyres from Shildon than the majority decision would suggest.

**SIMON O'DONNELL put his frustration for a fight to good use when he battered his opponent to the canvas in Philadelphia last Saturday.

A straight right through the guard of Antonio Baker ended their middleweight fight in the sixth round when the North Carolina fighter known as 'Shake n' Bake' got an unwelcome taste of the canvas for the full count.

Former Dale Youth Club boxer O'Donnell, from Shepherd's Bush, made it plain he will live or die by his record in the USA.

But the 22-year-old has been cooling his heels since his last win in March after a couple of false starts when proposed bouts were cancelled at the last minute.

This impressive victory did O'Donnell's cause a power of good to notch his sixth win and third knockout since turning pro blemished by just one defeat.