EASTBURN Amateur Boxing Club's Josh Holmes completed a hat-trick of wins to land a county belt for keeps.

Holmes beat experienced opponent Brendan Jackson at Sharky's ABC dinner show to defend his Yorkshire Amateur Boxing Association lightweight challenger title for the third time.

And in doing so it meant the 20-year-old from Earby earned permanent possession of the belt.

Jackson, from the Hard and Fast Gym in Barnsley, proved a tricky opponent but Holmes got better as the bout went on to register his impressive victory in Harehills, Leeds.

Naz Jalil, his coach at the South Craven club, said: "It was a cracking performance from Josh.

"It was quite a tough bout – a bit cagey. His opponent has had 30-odd bouts, while this was Josh's 17th.

"He was a switch hitter, and quick and strong, but Josh used his skills and looked to catch him with big shots.

"As the fight went on, Josh became really confident and by the last round he was playing with him.

"He was doing the Ali shuffle and he knew he'd won it.

"Josh's hard work is paying off and he earned fighter of the night."

Now the Eastburn ace, who works as a motor mechanic, is hoping to progress further in the new year.

Jalil said: "We are hoping he might get chance to box for Yorkshire or compete abroad."