A delayed flight on the return from his honeymoon in Thailand has meant that Oxford Boxing Academy's light heavyweight prospect Vince Sessegnon will not figure in this year's ABA championships.

Returning two days late from the Far East prevented the reigning Home Counties champion and last season's quarter-finalist from getting his entry in on time to tackle this season's title trail.

"It was just one of those things," said chief coach Faz Keyani.

"Vince was still in the air when the weigh-in took place and couldn't be contacted."

But the Wolvercote-based gym still had two representatives as the championships got under way last night.

Former ABA bantamweight finalist Lawrence Lewis - who subsequently moved up a weight division - took on Bradley Evans from Stevenage at featherweight.

And seasoned campaigner Chris Wood, who has captured both Home Counties and West Country regional middleweight crowns, faced Stevenage rival Terry Skipper.

  • Peter Buchta recorded the quickest win of his ring career when he saw off RAF heavyweight champion Richie Lewis in less than 30 seconds at Brize Norton.

The 22-year-old Oxford boxer landed a straight left that stunned the airman then connected with a right hook that sent him to the deck.

The bewildered Lewis climbed off the canvas to beat the count, but his resistance had been seriously eroded.

Another left hook from Buchta sent the airman to the canvas for a second visit and heralded the end of the contest.