George close to call-up

The 14-year-old Roche Amateur Boxing Club protégé made it 10 victories in a row after defeating Earl Shilton ABC’s Sean Bruce in the quarter-final of the National Schoolboy Championships.

The ever-impressive prospect won all three rounds against his Leicester-based opponent, who had previously won 18 of his 20 bouts, at the Boxing Arena in Birmingham. He will now face Sheffield’s John Ruddick (Birtley ABC) in the semi-final of the competition on Sunday at the Everton Sports Centre.

Coach Brian Roche said: “He’s so good at fighting. I need to keep him focussed in the ring because he really has got it. He’s a body puncher and he absolutely annihilates kids his age.

“In terms of style and punching power he should go on to win it now. He’s doing really well but I think he’ll be the National Schoolboys champion which will guarantee him an England call-up.”