A TRIO of local boxers are in Perth for the Australian Elite Boxing Championships, which got underway earlier this week.

Donald Jones and Imogen McDonnell were both in the ring on Wednesday, with Jones losing a split decision in the 80kg division, while McDonnell was drawn against the silver medallist from the world championships earlier this year, and lost in a unanimous decision

Mocka’s Boxing Club and Victorian coach, Ray ‘Mocka’ McIntosh said Jones’ bout could have gone either way in what was a competitive contest.

“Duck should have been a win, he went down in a split decision,” he said.

“We know he has improved and he went well.

“The first round was definitely close, the second round Duck was getting on top and I thought he might have had the third, but that wasn’t the way the judges scored it.”

McDonnell also came out of her bout with more knowledge, which will hold her in good stead going forward.

“She put up a very impressive performance against the number two ranked girl in the world,” McIntosh said.

“She got a lot of benefits from it, it was a unanimous decision but she went up to another level.

“We are not disappointed at all, we are very proud of her and how she went.”

Katie Riddle got an express pass to the final, with some withdrawals in the 48kg division.

Riddle will face Victorian teammate, Kayla Savi, who she defeated earlier in the year and the local will be going into the bout confident of bringing home a gold medal.