FOUR North West region belt matches featured on Leigh Amateur Boxing Club’s first show of the new season at Lowton Civic Hall.

Leigh’s Mike Phillips, Matty Burgess and Mark Leathem secured titles as 12 home fighters took on a strong North of England squad.

Phillips moved up a weight to take on Dave Gorry, of Skerton ABC, for the novice super heavyweight belt.

Phillips caught Gorry with two clean right hands to force a second count, with the referee stopping the contest. England number two welterweight Burgess also moved up a division to challenge Beartown’s Chris Keeler for the junior light middleweight belt.

The 15-year-old St Marys High School pupil was straight on to the front foot against his tall opponent, closing down the space and working to body and head to take an early lead. Keeler boxed his way back into the bout in the second round but Burgess’ forced the Congleton based boxer into constant retreat to earn a unanimous points win and the Team Leigh boxer of the night award.

Unbeaten middleweight Mark Leathem moved up a weight to challenge Reece Griffiths, of Paramount, for the novice light heavyweight belt.

The referee stepped in to save Griffiths from further punishment in the third round as Leathem took the coveted Tommy Sargeant overall boxer of the night award.

Paddy Brown was unsuccessful defending his light heavyweight belt against Lyndon van Arthur of Moston and Collyhurst.

Leigh debutant middleweight Lee Collier produced a stunning display of power and strength to overwhelm Ryan Walker, of Paramount, and take the Collins and Darwell senior boxer of the night award.

Ashley Peyton suffered a close points loss to John Watson, of Macclesfield.

Opening the show, 13-year-old Sean Connor, of Westleigh High School, delivered a power-punching unanimous points win over Brendan McGregor, of Blackpool Kingscote.

Ten-year-old debutant Kian Flanagan, of Sacred Heart Primary School, gained valuable experience against Chorlton’s Aaron Robertson in a skills bout.

Zach Evans, aged 13, of Westleigh High School unanimously outpointed Connor Shaw of Sandygate, Burnley.

Fifteen-year-old Jason Weir, of St Marys High School, narrowly lost out to Macclesfield’s more experienced Tom Maundy on his debut. Superior punching and more controlled boxing enabled 13-year-old Josh Waterworth, of Lowton High School, to outpoint Burnley’s Reece Jackson and collect the Simpson Heald Pearson junior boxer of the night award.

North West region novice finalists Phil Hervey, of Leigh, and Andy Griffin, of Amir Khan’s Gloves Gym, provided an entertaining finale, with Hervey extending his recent winning run.