Barnstaple's Joe Freeman shrugged off an injury to claim victory.

Barnstaple’s Joe Freeman has become the third club member to progress into the Western Counties national championships quarter finals.

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Despite picking up a football injury earlier in the week, the Park School pupil battled a lack of mobility to claim victory against Barton Hill’s Daniel Allison in the fight at Filton College in Bristol.

Freeman shrugged off his knee problem to go on the attack and found his range with pinpoint jabs to back up his opponent and set up big scoring rights.

The small ring at the venue gave Freeman an advantage and under the circumstances he pressed home his advantage with tight guard and accurate punching for all three rounds.

In the third, a standing count was required to save Allison from the onslaught, with the crowd surprised the referee allowed him to continue.

Freeman sportingly eased the pressure on Allison for the last 30 second, cruising to victory as Western Counties class three champion.

Next Saturday, Freeman will fight Patrick Ward in London and Robbie Squires will fight Freddie Edwards.

On Saturday night Nico Faassen made the trip to Plymouth’s Guildhall to box host club Pilgrims’ boxer Kyle Gargett.

The contest ran over four, two minute rounds and was a close run affair with both boxers enjoying their fair share of success.

Nico and the Barnstaple corner felt a little hard done by the decision going to Gargett on majority.

But the club hopes to turn this around when the two meet again at the next Barnstaple home show at Roundswell Community Centre on February 23.

Tickets cost £8 and are available from the usual outlets or by phoning Mark Simpson on 07749 231121.