A 12-YEAR-OLD Riddlesden-based boxer reached the semi-finals of a prestigious national competition.

Sehn Hussain missed out on the final of the England Boxing National Schools Championships 2019, held at the K2 in Crawley, West Sussex.

He lost to Ashton Duncan, of Thames Valley, by a unanimous decision in the Male Class A Under 46kg category at the event on Saturday.

Sehn, weighing in at the 45.5 to 46kg fights for Mick Jelley at Bury ABC, won the regional school boy championship against Malakhai by winning by unanimous decision.

Sehn's father, Amjad Hussain, said: "Unfortunately Sehn lost against his opponent Ashton Duncan, as he was more experienced than Sehn and it was Ashton's second attempt at the nationals.

"Sehn fought his heart out all the way and became the semi-finalist at his first attempt and Sehn has only had five bouts.

"He's eager to return to the nationals next year to become the school boy national champion of 2020. This time he's willing to work even harder.

"Throughout, boxers in his weight division had been bypassed to the next stage without competing, but Sehn never got it easy as he fought every fight to get his place in the finals.

"This was Sehn's first-ever attempt at the championships, after he had stormed through all the way showing heart and courage.

Sehn was victorious at a pre-quarter final for the national school championship, held on May 5.

At this event he won by a split decision on points against Ross Hendrick, of Gemini ABC, who was the toughest opponent he has fought. He was more experienced than Sehn and had many more fights. On paper Hendrick should have won due to his experience, but was still out-boxed by Sehn. This victory saw him advance to the quarter-final stage at Derby.

Sehn beat Jacob Walker, of South Normanton, in the quarter-finals, winning by another split decision.

Sehn is not the only Keighley boxer currently under the tutelage of Jelley.

Muhammed Ibrahim Nadim, 20, beat John O'Meara, of Dale Youth in West London, to win the 52-56kg category final at the England Boxing National Amateur Championship 2019 Finals Day held at Manchester Central last month

Nadim, of Keighley, grabbed the victory on a split decision following a close contest of three rounds each lasting three minutes.

Trainer Jelley has previously guided the early careers of fighters of Amir Khan and Scott Quigg during his illustrious spell in the sport.