JOHN Taylor beat the best of the rest in the region to reach the quarter finals of the England Junior Championships in his age category.

The Phoenix Fire fighter defeated England international Anthony Hanna (Rotunda) at Croxteth Lifestyle Centre by a unanimous points decision to progress as Merseyside and Cheshire champion in the 52kg weight class.

“John dominated throughout, making his opponent miss before responding with fast clusters of quality punching,” said club coach Damian Ridpath.

Taylor will be joined at the next stage on Sunday week by clubmate Courtney Swanton, who received a bye in the girls’ 50kg category.

He also defeated Leon Palomba (Knowsley Vale) and Rhys Garvey, another Rotunda member, by points decisions.

Phoenix Fire’s Sam Watson missed out on a place at the national finals after losing to Judd Cameron (Sefton) during a high-quality bout in the 54kg weight division.

Ridpath said: “Judd is taller, and used his extra range well to make Sam miss.”

Meanwhile, Phoenix duo Jamie Aramayo, a youth heavyweight, and flyweight Imad Mohammed returned this week from a fortnight’s training at altitude in the Canary Islands.

The pair are part of England Boxing’s Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence.

They are both scheduled for action in the club’s latest event tomorrow, Friday, at Eagle Sports and Social Club.

The first of 15 bouts on the card starts at 8pm.

Admission is £10 for adults, while under 16s pay £5 to watch.