THE head coach of Halton Amateur Boxing Club is delighted with the progress made by two of his fighters in their age and weight groups in the England Boxing Schoolboy Championships.

Thomas Cavanagh’s boys Luca Esposito, 13, and Evan Atkinson, 14, both fought in the Merseyside and Cheshire finals at Bootle Cricket Club against two tough opponents, Birkenhead Ventures’ Shay Pinnington and Everton Red Triangles’ Connor Grey.

Esposito secured a victory by split decision 4-1 and Atkinson won unanimously, meaning both progressed to the national quarter finals in which Merseyside and Cheshire faced East Midlands.

Results were then mixed for the Halton pair.

Esposito won unanimously against Shea Brady from Priory Park ABC in Dudley, while Atkinson lost to last year’s champion Bailey wilding from Mikey’s Boxing Gym in Kidderminster.

This weekend in Banbury Esposito will fight last year’s champion Jonny Crittenden from Pinewood ABC, based in Crowthorne, Berkshire.

“I’m proud of both lads and excited to continue to watch them both grow,” said Cavanagh.