Adam Earnshaw into national schoolboy semi-finals

Alan Bacon, Adam Earnshaw and Steven Connellan

Adam Earnshaw put on an awesome display of boxing to progress into the 35.5KG Class A National Schoolboy Semi-Finals when he convincingly beating local boxer Jack Blood of Sefton ABC in Croxteth, Liverpool on Saturday (21 May).

The pattern of the contest was set by 13-year-old Earnshaw, from Hamer Amateur Boxing Club, from the very first minute, with quickly Blood realising the contest was to be more difficult than he and his corner first thought.

Blood came out of his corner and moved towards Earnshaw only for the Hamer youngster to continually make him miss before stepping back into range with very fast combinations, followed by switching his stance and throwing an overhand right that connected every time Blood came in close.

The Sefton lad came out for the second round determined to get back into the contest, which the Hamer corner anticipated, so Earnshaw was told by his coach Steven Connellan to continue with his over-hand right just as Blood stepped into range.

The tactics work almost instantly and Blood's head was continually knocked back as he came forward.

Earnshaw was in control of the bout and he showed he was enjoying his moment in the limelight when he continued to unload fast combinations to the head of his opponent before stepping back out of range.

The Hamer boxer came out for the third and final round knowing that all he had to do was continue with the same tactics. He was told by his corner to use the ring and to make Blood chase him before unloading his punches, then use the ring again to make his opponent continue with the chase.

Earnshaw came out on the sound of the bell with his hands held low. He began by throwing his jab to the head of his opponent before stepping back out of range and making Blood miss, than stepping back into the action with his right hand which landed flush upon the Sefton lad's chin every time he came forward.

With all three rounds in his favour, it was Earnshaw who progressed to the semi-final.

Coach Alan Bacon said: "It was a magnificent display of boxing for a boy so young and he came away with a unanimous decision. Although we had to tick him off a little for lowering his hands in the last round."