Joe Smythe has become the first Finchley ABC youngster to reach the final of the National Schools' Championships since European super-bantamweight champion Spencer Oliver won a title eight years ago.

In the semi-final against J Hilliard (Lion ABC, Hoxton) at Gloucester on Saturday, Joe dominated the bout with stinging left jabs and gained a unanimous points decision.

He'll be looking to repeat the form in the final of the Class A 42kg category at Nottingham on Saturday, March 21, when Oliver will be at the ringside to give his support.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.