KINGSWAY boxers competed against boxers from North Mersey ABC on their home show on Thursday.

Harrison Askell and Max Fisher both put in very composed and controlled performances in skills bouts and showed that they are progressing well as they move towards full bouts. Michael McCartney and Jarrod O’Connor both took part in highly competitive bouts against accomplished opponents.

Michael was victorious via a split decision in an intriguing contest and Jarrod was unfortunate to be on the wrong end of another split decision in a close battle between two powerful and skilled boxers.

The following day Dane Unsworth competed against a home fighter on the Croxteth ABC show. He should be extremely proud of a mature performance against a strong boxer that saw him get the win due to his high work rate coupled with him landing the cleaner and more eye-catching shots.

Finally, Cameron Lewis advanced to the semi-final stage of the England Boxing Junior Championships with victory in the quarter finals which were held at Croxteth Sports Centre in Liverpool.

Taking on reigning Tyne-Tees-Wearside champion Ryan Ridley of Forest Hall ABC in the -70kgs category, Lewis gave a display which masked his lack of experience compared to that of his opponent with yet another energetic performance, which saw him claim his fifth win in a row.

Lewis started the contest on the back foot with Ridley, a tall southpaw with a long reach, determined to take the centre of the ring by utilising his strong jab behind a tight, high guard in order to keep the Merseyside and Cheshire champion at a range that would suit him best.

This initially gave him some success; however Lewis eventually started to work his way into the contest with some excellent upper body movement, making his opponent miss and then countering effectively with his own shots, mostly to the body.

The second round started in the same way the previous one finished, with Ridley stalking Lewis around the ring but struggling to land cleanly.

Lewis meanwhile continued to land some good counter punches when the opportunity arose, with the combination of a back hand to the body and a left hook to the head working well. Lewis’s work rate was also beginning to halt his opponent’s forward movement, and he finished the round looking the stronger fighter.

The final round saw Ridley start fast, as he perhaps sensed that the contest was slipping away from him.

A strong first 30 seconds from him once again saw Lewis on the back foot and having to defend, but he eventually regained the initiative and once more started to land good shots on his now tiring opponent.

Keeping up his impressive work ethic, he finished the bout on the front foot, with Ridley defending himself against the ropes as the bell sounded.

Bringing both boxers together for the announcement of the winner, the referee raised the hand of Lewis, who claimed a unanimous decision from the judges.

He will now move forward to the semi-finals of the Championships, which will be held in Newham, East London on the 25th of March, with the finals being held the following day at the same venue.