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Duo tipped for gold

Dave Lawrenson
21/ 2/2008

BRIDGEWATER Salford Amateur Boxing Club coach Paul Faulkner is beaming with pride after two of his students reached the semi-finals of the national Golden Gloves competition.

Connor Mannion, aged 11, used his superior boxing skills to nullify the aggression of his north east counties opponent – Shildon ABC’s Chris Yorke.

He recorded a comprehensive points win at Everton Park Sports Centre on Saturday while Marc Leach, aged 13, was given a quarter-final bye.

They will be in semi-final action at the Austin Rawlinson Sports Centre in Speke this Saturday, February 23, and Faulkner is now tipping the duo to go all the way.

He said: "To have one fighter in the national Golden Gloves semi-finals is a great achievement and to have two is simply amazing.

"I think that Connor and Marc have both got a great chance to become overall champions now. They are certainly good enough.

"Connor boxed brilliantly on Saturday. His opponent was really aggressive but whenever he charged forward Connor moved out of the way and kept getting his shots off. It was like watching a Matador deal with an angry bull."

Bridgewater Salford boxer Ben Doherty was also in quarter-final action in Liverpool on Saturday.

But the 14-year-old was no match for Middlesbrough ABC’s Jacob Maphosa, who won on points.