TWO Warrington athletes are through to English Boxing Junior Development Finals in Rotherham on Saturday, October 10.

Warrington Boxing Club's Bailey Smith will face Guildford City's Daunte Taylor in the 15-year-olds' 66-70kg showdown, while Phoenix Fire's Amber Leyland will square up with Heart of Portsmouth's Taylor Smith in the 16-year-olds' 60-63kg decider.

Phoenix Fire staged the north region semi finals as part of their third festival of boxing, which included a club tournament and a tutor course at the Orford Jubilee Community Hub on Saturday.

Phoenix's Damian Ridpath said: "Over 80 athletes boxed and around 1,000 people attended the day.

"Clubs attended from all across the north of England and the club were delighted with how the day went."

Opponents scheduled to tackle Smith and Leyland both withdrew.

Seven Phoenix boxers were involved in the club's evening tournament.

Sam Watson (youth 56kg) was awarded boxer of the night with a stylish performance in defeating Ben Grassam of Wearmouth ABC, Sunderland, on a split points decision which avenged a close loss from two weeks previously.

Ridpath said: "Sam boxed well, countering effectively throughout the first two very competitive rounds. Ben came back strongly to win the third using effective pressure well but Sam kept in the bout to take the decision."

JJ Taylor (youth 55kg) and Wildcard's Joe Smith (56kg) were awarded bout of the night after three compelling rounds, with the Phoenix pugilist taking a unanimous decision.

James Mercer (youth 57kg) defeated Kallum Graham from Birmingham's Odells ABC.

"James' strength, quality and variation of shots won the day with a close split decision," said Ridpath.

Sam Sinnett (junior 52kg) won a unanimous decision against Sean Huggins from Wales' Maelor ABC.

The bout fought exclusively at short and mid range.

"Sam's quality body punching was the difference between the two boxers," said Ridpath.

Keane Sudworth and Imad Nasseb both lost close split decisions against Mark McLoughlin from Timperley and Samir Amran from Burton respectively.

Brad Robinson performed well in defeat against extremely strong Travis James from Maelor.

Ridpath concluded: "All the clubs and boxers that attended had a great day in an excellent venue.

"All the Phoenix Fire boxers performed well and put in strong performances for this early stage of the season."