HARWICH boxer Tom Jacobs faced the highly-touted Travis Dickenson from Tyne and Wear in the UK National Association of Boys' Clubs middleweight title fight at London's Cafe Royal.

HARWICH boxer Tom Jacobs faced the highly-touted Travis Dickenson from Tyne and Wear in the UK National Association of Boys' Clubs middleweight title fight at London's Cafe Royal.

Dickenson came with an awesome reputation, with 41 wins from 47 bouts, and in May knocked out the recently-crowned senior ABA champion George Groves.

Nineteen-year-old Jacobs, no stranger to national finals, having won four national junior titles himself, started positively, scoring with useful counter punches.

Under the gaze of Sky Sports TV cameras and in front of many celebrity guests, including former world champion Alan Minter, Jacobs' confidence grew as the bout progressed, continually frustrating the far taller Geordie. By the third, southpaw Jacobs was ekeing out a slight lead by being first to the punch.

Alas for Jacobs, with Dickenson sensing a shock defeat, he upped his game in the fourth and final session. A heavy exchange saw Jacobs receive a standing eight count from Colchester referee Trevor Norfolk. Although Jacobs recovered, with just 30 seconds remaining, Dickenson inflicted a nasty cut underneath the Harwich boys' nose.

This would subsequently fail the doctor's inspection, with Dickenson being awarded victory via a fourth-round injury stoppage.

Jacobs' performance defied a lot of experts and he showed immense courage in pursuit of another national title. Tom intends to rebound at the Harwich annual home show on January 27 at the welterweight category.