TWO 11-year-old cousins from Pontypool triumphed at the Welsh Novice Boxing Championship finals in Port Talbot last Sunday.

Torfaen Warriors fighters Danny Thomas and William Bennett travelled west with Torfaen coaches Simon Weaver and Jon Manning and came back with titles to their name.

Thomas had won his quarter-final against Maks Donezew of Rhoose the previous Saturday and he then beat Josh Lea of Dyffryn in North Wales on Sunday, October 23.

In the final last weekend he was up against Iestyn Williams of Tylerstown.

This was a tough fight as Williams had won by TKO against his previous opponent.

But after three rounds the Torfaen fighter won 2-1 on a split decision.

Thomas’ record is now 5-0 as he follows in the footsteps of his brother and former British champ Shane Thomas.

Fellow Torfaen fighter Bennett had a straight final against Evan James of Pontypool, son of Wales’ assistant coach Mark James.

From the bell Bennett was in charge of the fight and in the second round Evans took an eight count but the fight did go the distance and Bennett won a unanimous points decision to take his record to six wins and one loss.