LEIGH Amateur Boxing Club is knocked out by selection news for two members of its junior squad.

Leigh St Mary's RC High School middleweight, 16-years-old Robert Bordon, has been accepted into the prestigious Hopwood Hall Boxing Academy on a two year course, and 15-years-old Westleigh High School flyweight Martin Pilkington was in the Manchester select squad scheduled to take on a select Channel Islands team in Guernsey at the weekend.

For Robert his academy acceptance means he will live at the Rochdale sporting complex and combine his course work with around 25 hours a week boxing training alongside some of the most talented young boxers in the country. He will continue to represent Leigh ABC.

Martin was joined by clubmates Rory Roberts and Mick German in their third selection for the squad in Guernsey.

Chris Jackson made a comeback after two years away from the ring. Boxing at light heavyweight against Bredbury and Stockport's Carl Ballantyne in the Paramount ABC Show at Stockport County FC he rocked his opposition with some heavy shots to take a first round lead, then powered to a second round win.

The third round, however, saw Jackson's time out catch up and despite bravely battling to the final bell Ballantyne took the round and edged a points win. Presenting the trophies former middleweight star Ensley Bingham picked him out as one of the best fighters of the evening.

On the same bill Robert took on Ashton Albion's Johnathan Breen and took a deserved points win over his more experienced opponent.

Robert and Martin also featured in Macclesfield ABC's show at Wilmslow Leisure Centre in front of a big crowd. Martin was first up against Silverdale's Jonathan Laven and put in a great show of counter punching, continually rocking Laven with a variety of shots and forcing a standing count.

Laven complained to the referee and was harshly disqualified, though many believed the ref was just saving him from further punishment.

The evening ended in disappointment for Bordon against Bredbury and Stockport ABC's talented southpaw Chris Healey.

From the first bell the unorthodox style combined with accurate punches continually foiled Robert's efforts to force the pace.

Although the Leigh lad at times seemed to have his opponent in trouble Healey continued to produce quality shots to relieve the pressure and force Bordon backwards. Despite a valiant performance it came as no surprise to see the southpaw's hand raised in victory.