A HOST of local boxers fell by the wayside in the opening round of the Schoolboy Championships over the weekend.

Ten of the 14 fighters on show from the Bolton area were beaten to leave only a handful flying the flag in the North West region section.

Pool of Life duo Jack Lloyd and William Rawson both negotiated their opening round well after earning majority decisions over Luke Stephenson (Penrith) and Niall Fielding (Skerton) respectively.

Rawson was beaten the following day, however, by Adam Ridge (Leigh ABC) but New Bury and Farnworth’s Luke Steventon is through after picking up a walkover win against James Devine (Manx) and he faces a tough test against highly-rated Bury ABC boxer Sahir Iqbal in the next round on Saturday.

Leigh’s Sean Connor was in destructive mood, and the referee stopped his contest with Dean Foster (Centurions) in the opening round.

His stablemates Charlie Munroe and Lewis Clark had less luck, however, and were beaten by Reuben Pritchard (Larches and Savick) and Bradley Rea (St Johns) respectively.

Castle Hill prospect Nathan Dootson lost to Nathan Armstrong (Currock House) while Danny Clitheroe (Preston and Fulwood) beat local lad Aron Gray (New Bury and Farnworth).

Liam Fitzmaurice (Pool of Life) was on the wrong end of a majority decision in his bout against Sean Beddows (Northside), and Joe Kirkpatrick (New Bury and Farnworth) suffered the same fate against Danny Wright (Boarshaw).

There was little joy for Radcliffe Dynamics duo Jason Cohen and Lewis Godfrey, with Cohen presenting Kane Gardner (Ardwick Lads) with a walkover and Godfrey losing on points to Walter Fury (Skerton).

Bury ABC’s Michael Knowles lost on points to Cameron Bagley (Cleator Moor).

The action resumes on Saturday with seven local lads on display at the same venue — Cedar Mount High School in Gorton.

Farnworth-born Sahir Iqbal faces Luke Steventon, Curtis Young (New Bury and Farnworth) takes on Perry King (Darnhill and Heywood), Jack Lloyd (Pool of Life) meets Kane Nightingale (Roche), Yasar Iqbal (Bury) tackles Patrick Miller (Northside), Lee Mitchell (Gloves) is against Tyrone Jones (Bridgewater Salford) and Thomas Jones (Leigh) faces a tricky bout against Nathan Swift (Astley VIP).

Victory would ensure a bout in the next round on Sunday when Ellis Waugh (Gloves) is pitched against Ben Doherty (Bridgewater Salford) and Ibrahim Shah (Gloves) takes on Connor Joyce (Egan’s) or Kieran Barlow (Centurions). Jonathan Brown (Leigh) faces Mohammed Askary (Preston and Fulwood) or Andrew Fleming (Astley VIP).