TEENAGE boxer Brendan ‘Bam-Bam’ Collins won a tough fight in the Midlands to keep Sandygate Amateur Boxing Club’s impressive season rolling.

The North West Junior Novice champion at 50kg reached the national quarter-finals with a superb display against his talented opponent.

The 15-year-old, boxing out of the Burnley club, faced Midlands champion Shay Hugman, representing Walsall Wood ABC, in the England Boxing pre-quarters in Bedworth, Coventry.

Hugman had claimed the West Midlands title in style last month, scoring a knockdown and a standing count in three punishing rounds with Liam Taylor.

But he had no answer as Collins controlled the fight.

Straight from the opening exchanges the knowledgeable fight crowd could sense they were in for a treat as both boys produced a cracking display of the noble art with the Shuttleworth Year 11 pupil dominating in the first round by countering with great body shots.

The second saw the Walsall warrior come back into the game, upping his work rate as Collins showed off his defensive skills, but still managed to counter.

The third was probably the Sandygate youngster’s finest two-minute round.

It was a real crowd pleaser with his work rate such that it gave the five judges present an easier task to give the verdict to the Burnley boxer who now goes through to the national quarter-final against the Tyne Tees champion in Manchester.

The club also hosts its annual dinner show at Burnley Mechanics this week.

Anyone interested in joining one of the north’s busiest boxing stables can get in touch at www.sandygateabc.com.