TEAKEN Prior, a member of Chard ABC, is chasing a national title after reaching the finals of the ABA’s Elite Youth Championships.

The 17-year-old welterweight earned his place in the championship finale by winning the Western Counties final in Bristol on Sunday.

Boxing at Cleve Rugby Club, Prior proved too strong for Bournemouth’s Tom Bennett, earning a unanimous decision.

Prior dominated the bout and forced his opponent to take a standing count in the third round after unleashing a four punch combination.

His trainer, Keith Roberts, said: “Bennett is a former kick-boxing champion and is a tough lad but Teaken did all that was required.”

Two days earlier at the same venue Prior had beaten Polish-born Orges Peroshi in the regional semi-final.

The first round was quiet even with both boxers scoring but Prior started to get on top by the end of the round with some excellent body shots. The secound round continued in the same vein with Prior landing shots to the body before switching to the head.

Teaken looked really relaxed and took control of the fight with hard uppercuts and hooks.

Orgies was not there just to be hit and landed some great shots of his own but he was not in the same league as Prior who took the third and the bout.

Prior, who is plumbing apprentice based at Bridgwater College, now looks forward to the national finals to be held in County Durham from February 20 to 22.

The quarter finals are being held on the first day with the semi-finals and finals on the Saturday and Sunday.

Last year Prior exited the ABAs on points at the hands of eventual champion Zac Chelli who won the title with a knockout.

But having dropped down a weight he won’t have face Chelli this year.

His trainer added: “We won’t know the draw until the day but Teaken is in great shape and I would say he has got as good a chance as anybody in the competition.

“He has been training well and I’m confidnet he’ll put up a good show.”