BOXERS from York returned from the prestigious Hvidovre Box Cup with an impressive haul of gold medals.

At the Danish competition, Zach Evans, Matty Ficco and Paris Smith all brought back the top prize for Legion's Gym, as did Arlo Stephens for York ABC.

The 21-year-old Evans - who recently won the 69kg Yorkshire Elite Belt - beat the finalist of last year's box cup, local lad Mamadou Dosso, the day before seeing off another Dane in Hadi Halim for the gold.

Dosso did not give Evans much to work with, fighting behind a very tight guard, but Evans' work rate and punch power helped open up his opponents' guard as the round progressed. He scored a standing count in the final round before going on to win by unanimous decision.

Halim - who boasted a record of just three defeats in 25 bouts - held Evans to a close opening round. But the Minster city pugilist adjusted his game plan and stormed the final round to convincingly take the decision.

Earlier that day, Ficco boxed to take the 46kg prize against the Cypriot schoolboy national champion Georgios Konstantinoudis, who boasted a 10-0 record going into the bout. Ficco's ability to work at long range shone through and he took the points decision against one of his toughest opponents to date.

Also boxing on the second day was Smith, who is tipped to represent England in the near future. Despite being matched against the older and heavier Freja Anderson - powered her way to victory within a minute of the first round.

Along with the rest of the squad, all three will be in action at Legions' home show on Friday, May 24. Evans will headline the show with his first defence of the Elite Yorkshire title, fighting Nathan Shepherd of Henry’s Gym.

Meanwhile, York ABC's Yorkshire Super-Heavyweight Champion Stephen's won his gold with a second round KO of Danish boxer Jack Lundqvist.

The 110kg Dane had only one defeat in 12 contests before coming up against Stephens, who first put a pair of gloves on last year.

He has made a promising start, with this gold medal adding to his Yorkshire Super-Heavyweight and England Boxing Yorkshire Class-B titles.

York ABC secretary Tim Phillips said: "It's a fantastic achievement for a young gentleman and not something that many people do, especially in an individual sport like boxing.

"I think York ABC is on the up. It's always nice to win and to see young men coming through, to see them being successful, because it's a really difficult sport.

"It says a great deal about an individual to go out and something under their own steam. They've got coaching, obviously, but out in the ring, you're on your own.

"I'm over the moon. It's been a whirlwind year for York ABC."

A masters student at York St John University, Stephens' next bout will be in April at the MTK Box Cup in Penrith.