MUAVIA Nasim put in a fantastic display of boxing to win a silver medal at the ABA Youth Championships.

The 16-year-old Bury ABC fighter went into the finals weekend at the Magna Centre in Rotherham knowing he would be coming up against boxers with much more experience under their belts.

But after gaining a walkover to in the quarter-finals of the 52k division, he beat 17-year-old Imad Naseeb, of Phoenix Fire ABC, in the last four on a unanimous points decision to set up a final showdown against Merridale ABC's Akash Tuqir.

Nasim's opponent was already a veteran of 60 fights, with a string of fine performances on his CV for Team GB, including a gold medal at last year's European Youth Championships.

But coach Mick Jelley said he was undaunted and produced a "cracking display" before losing the contest on a unanimous points decision.

"It felt like the whole arena stopped to watch their final and the two fighters brought the house down.

"I must admit I was a bit wary about putting Muavia in the ring against Tuqir because he is a high quality fighter who was 18 months his senior.

"But the two of them produced a fantastic spectacle and young Muavia put in a cracking display.

"He has already earned a Great Britain call-up and the Team GB coaches came to us after the fight to congratulate him on his performance.

"They were really impressed and I have no doubt he will be a GB regular from now on.

"And the good thing is that Tuqir will not be eligible to fight in the Youth Championships again, which means Muavia should be favourite for the title next year."

Bury ABC's Ibrahim Nadim, also 16, was desperately unlucky not to progress past the last eight in the 49k division after losing his quarter-final bout on a split decision against Lewis Coley, of Midlands club Kingstanding ABC.

"It was another cracking fight and I really felt for the lad because he gave it everything," added Jelley.

"I thought he had nicked it to be honest, but I checked the judges cards after the bout and while two of them called it a draw, the third gave it to the other lad 28-27.

"That's how it goes in boxing sometimes but I was delighted with his performance."