James Beech in ABA Schoolboys war

Pleck ABC's James Beech was today tipped to be "as sharp as a razor" when the fights for the third time in nine days in the ABA Schoolboys national championships.

Beech boxed twice to reach the quarter-finals, having to re-run the Midlands final after a fault with the computer scoring in the original bout.

The 14-year-old first had to travel to Leicester last Friday and compete on an Earl Shilton ABC club show, against Birmingham City ABC's Khizer Ali.

The same result was recorded, Beech a points winner, to put the Brownhills Comprehensive School pupil into the pre-quarter finals on the Sunday.

For the Midlands Counties against the North West Region, Beech fought twice in less than 48 hours, outpointing Chorley ABC's Matthew Walton.

Now the busy teenager is back at the Manchester Boxing Centre of Excellence to tackle his counterpart from the Tyne, Tees and Wear region.

Standing in his way in the 48kg category of Class Three – boxers born in 1997 – will be High Fell ABC's Jeffrey Nesham on Sunday afternoon.

It's Beech last chance in the competition this year but trainer Tony Leonard insists he's fit enough to keep going.

He said: "He was up for it last Friday and he was as sharp as a razor on the Sunday, so maybe they did us a favour.

"If you keep active, you haven't got to work so hard in the gym and he was still fighting fit from the previous week.

"The lad we have got now is a southpaw and a switch hitter as well, so we have been working on different things.

"Styles make fights and this could be awkward, it may come down to who wants it the most.

"They are both counter boxers and, if it's a stand off, it could be cagey but, win or lose, James will give a good account of himself."

In Class One – boxers born in 1999 - Aston ABC'S George Battenbough is up against Darlington ABC's Peter Smith at 38kg.

Someone's '0' will go as both are undefeated in their first year in the competition, with Battenbough growing in stature.

The Cardinal Wiseman School student saw off Walsall Wood's Joseph Jenkins in the area final, in what was considered an upset.

The two could yet face a rematch on a club show and Battenbough has proved, from that day on, he's a never-say-die fighter.

The 12-year-old was dead level with Jenkins and Ashton Albion ABC's Alex Clegg last Sunday after two rounds, winning the contest in the last session.

But trainer John Homer has it's his toughest test yet on Saturday afternoon.

He said: "This lad is from a good club and he's undefeated, like George, so it should be a good contest.

"It will definitely be George's biggest test and, in all of his contests so far, he's shown excellent stamina in the last round.

"He's a bit of a slow starter but he comes good in the end, so we are going to play it cagey and see what happens.

"He's got to be prepared for the pace of the contest but it's important we are not chasing rounds.

"Once you are down, you are commited to chasing the lad down and initiating contact.

"We know that, if he can keep the scores close for the first two rounds, he's got a good last round in him."