THERE’S a belting atmosphere at the York Masters Boxing Club.

Under the guidance of long-established trainer Glen Banks, two of the club’s top performers have landed championship belts.

Super-middleweight Harry Matthews won the vacant British Masters bronze title, while Acomb-based Carly McKenzie claimed the vacant Central Area featherweight crown.

Matthews’ conquest was an emphatic success. He notched a six-round knockout over Gloucester opponent Lewis van Phoetsch on a Mark Bateson promotion staged at one of the function suites at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground.

The title challenge was scheduled for eight rounds but so superior was the 27-year-old Matthews, that before his knockout blow, he was 78-73 ahead on the judges’ scorecards.

Said Banks: “It was a really tough and hard fight but Harry was in great form and he just totally dominated someone who was expected to provide him with strong opposition.”

McKenzie, who also trains at the York MBC based in Redeness Street in Layerthorpe, had to go the distance of four two-minute rounds before outpointing Bridlington’s Mel Hellsbad 40 points to 37 at the Pryzm night club in Leeds on a Les Murtagh show.

Her victory took the 36-year-old to five wins and two losses since joining the York club.