Adam Earnshaw progressed to National Schoolboy Quarter Finals

Hamer coach Alan Bacon, Adam Earnshaw and Hamer coach Steven Connellan

Hamer boxer Adam Earnshaw,13, progressed into the 35.5KG Class A National Schoolboy Quarter Finals when beating Patrick Gaskins of St Peter's ABC, Doncaster, Yorkshire at the Lighthouse Centre, Salford on 14 May.

At the start of the first round Gaskins stormed out of his corner to take the fight to the Rochdale youngster, while Earnshaw tried to counter punch his opponent.

Gaskins continued to unload left and right hand punches and Earnshaw moved out of range with neat footwork but was unable to return with shots of his own.

When both boxers where in close it was Gaskins who showed an eagerness to win by punching to the body but Earnshaw was slowly beginning to work out his opponents style and towards the end of the round he unloaded two terrific overhand right hand punches that connected flush upon Gaskins' chin.

During the rest period Earnshaw was told by his coach Steven Connellan to do exactly as he was doing but to up the work rate and try to draw his opponents lead before countering with his own fast hands.

The bell rang and immediately it was Earnshaw who began to take the fight to his opponent.

Gaskins backed off onto the ropes as Earnshaw approached but the Hamer youngster waited for his opponent to throw his shots and when he did Earnshaw used clever footwork to step out of range before stepping back in to unload his own punches which continually connected.

It was Earnshaw's round but his corner was still concerned about the first round being close so the youngster was told to show all of his skills and enjoy the round by taking the fight to Gaskins.

Both boys came out for the third and last round determined to win but on the sound of the bell it was Earnshaw who immediately connected with a sweet overhand right to the chin.

He then caught his opponent again with the same punch before stepping out of range.

Earnshaw backed Gaskins onto the ropes with great ring generalship and continued to unload swift combinations.

The Rochdale youngster was in full flow now while Gaskins began to fade and although he had shown great determination Earnshaw was able to connect with crunching right hands whenever he wanted, allowing him to take the round and the win by split decision.

Earnshaw now meets the local lad Jack Blood of Sefton in Liverpool on 21 May to determine who progresses onto the National Semi-Finals.