Southend boxers Ollie Pinnock and John Cullinane both crashed out of the Great Britain Novice Championships quarter final after putting up a good fight.

The pair were representing the Eastern Counties and were taking on boxers from the London area ABA in bouts at Basildon's Chal-vedon Boxing Club.

"They both lost but they were terrific bouts, really hard fought," said Southend ABC's coach and secretary Mick Bucke. "It was a great performance by the lads and they were not hurt."

Lightweight Pinnock was facing a lad called Paisley - one of several Army fighters at the event - but started slowly against the London boxer.

Yet he warmed to his task and the bout developed into a nip-and-tuck affair which ended with Pinnock taking a standing count.

"If it had gone on for another round Ollie would have won it," added Mick.

"It was a good bout and we did not argue with the judges' decision."

Light middleweight Cullinane met Ray Webb, who fights out of south London's Bromley and Downham stable.

Mick said Webb was a very talented boxer who had not had many fights but trained seven day a week.

Cullinane prove to be the better boxer but his strong opponent had answers to what the Southend boxer was doing and edged the fight in the last round.

"John boxed to the best of his ability but the verdict was justified," added Mick.

Pinnock will next be in action on January 27 in Newmarket.

Pipped at the post - Southend boxers John Cullinane (left) and Ollie Pinnock

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