Anthony blasts his way into a big final date

May 15 2007 By John Gibson, The Evening Chronicle

Newcastle's Anthony Dillon stormed into the semi-finals of the National Novices Championship with a super win at Newbiggin.

Dillon, who fights for North Benwell, stopped Southern Counties champion Surjat Popat of Portsmouth University in the second round, and will now shoot for glory at Nottingham on Saturday.

"Anthony had not won a fight when he came to our gym, but he has gone from strength to strength," said North Benwell coach Steve Cranston. "Fellow coach Bill Fawcett and I are absolutely delighted for him."

Dillon is joined in the semis by Simon Peverley of Lambton Street, who defeated Stafford Town's Grant Cunningham and Spennymoor's Abudabar Ajisafe, a winner over Mark Atkins (Golden Ring).

Lee Ferguson of Newcastle East End was an unlucky loser to Troy James, while Northumbria's Anthony Simpson pulled out of the show.

Barry McGuigan's son Shane won a sensational contest with James Metcalf of Liverpool.

"McGuigan looked a bit special," admitted area secretary Ron Harvey. "It was a great contest. The crowd loved it."

There were no fewer than four former world champions at Newbiggin - McGuigan, who worked his son's corner, Chris Pyatt, Glenn McCrory and Shay Neary.