Theo and Ava make slice of fight history

Ava and Theo…the fighting Dohertys are a force to be reckoned with

THEO and Ava Doherty are celebrating a slice of boxing history.

They are, in my reckoning, the only brother and sister to claim national ABA development titles in the same year. Tell me if you know differently.

At Cannock Leisure Centre last weekend, Theo, aged 14, outpointed Ethan Hubbard on a split decision in the 57kg junior final. He fought six times to collected the top titile. That brought Theo’s bout total to 12 won 11.

Ava, aged 16, stopped Tilly- Mae Walker in a round in the under 70kg final.  She reached the final on byes. Ava has now won three of four.

The fighting Doherty family, who box for Stoke Staffs Boxing, are evidently a force to be reckoned with. Brother Jake, aged 18, is a real banger.

He lost out on points in the pre quarter-finals at under 67kg. Up until then, he’d stopped three of four on the championship march.

Dad and coach Tom Doherty said: “When you’re in the corner, you have your coach’s head on, that’s your mindset. It’s afterwards that the emotions kick in.”