Portsmouth teenager Tilly Hymers gets one over rival to land second England youth boxing title

The Paulsgrove prospect, 16, stopped old enemy Rosie Boyton in the first round to be crowned under-45kg female champion at the recent England Youth Championships in County Durham.

It was the fifth time the fledgling pair had met in the ring, with Hymers managing to come out on top this time around.

The Castle View Academy pupil beat Boyton to be crowned England junior champion in 2018, but had been defeated in the other three bouts between the pair.

But Hymers’ Guildford City Boxing Club coach, John Edwards, was pleased to see his fighter come out on top when it mattered.

‘Tilly had been training really hard,’ said her coach.

‘She was training on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but now she’s got the rewards.

‘Rosie Boyton (Bodyshots Academy of Boxing), who she beat in the final, she’d lost to her three times before.

‘There were three losses that Tilly had suffered against her before.

‘But she had beaten her in a final in the junior championships.

‘She stopped her in the first round.

‘It was just the one fight and she did a great job to come through in the final.’

Hymers took the decision to leave Heart of Portsmouth Academy and start training with Guildford City coach Edwards in May.

That move seems to have paid dividends for the youngster after landing a second national title at youth level.

On the back of her national youth glory, Hymers has now secured a spot on the England Talent Pathway.

And her father, Jason, is hoping to see her fighting for her country later this year.

‘Through winning the junior title she is now on the England Talent Pathway.

‘Tilly could be boxing for England at the Three Nations in May.

‘The next aim for Tilly will be to win the championships again next year.

‘She could be boxing in the European Championships as well.

‘John Edwards was the reason for moving to Guildford.

‘He had 150 national champions, he’s now got 151 after Tilly’s win.’