A TALENTED trio of amateur boxers have taken another step along the road to Olympic glory.

Fourteen-year-olds Martin Murray (42 kilos) and Gary Davis (48 kilos) have fought their way through to the quarter-finals of the All England National Association of Boys Clubs Championships after taking their respective North West Counties titles. And 16-year-old Steven Birch (67 kilos) who won the NABC lightweight title last year, made a winning international debut for England Schoolboys against Denmark at Kidderminster on Bonfire Night, despite having to concede two kilos in stepping up to the welterweight division.

The three are all members of the St Helens Town ABC, based at Bobbies Lane, Eccleston. A club spokesman told the Star: "These lads have been with us since they were eight years old and we believe they are genuine Olympic prospects.

"Seeing youngsters progress in this way is great for everyone connected with the club, especially our dedicated coaching staff of Carl Roby, Chris Firth, Darren Chisnall and John Maloney. And we have recently welcomed a new coach in Ian Simms and we are sure he is going to be a valuable addition to the team."

Meanwhile, club officials are currently negotiating a sponsorship deal with one of the country's top sports equipment firm ProTec of Rochdale, which they hope will net them £5,000 per year for three years, starting in January.

And they are keen to recruit new members to their boxing, weightlifting and men's and women's keep-fit sessions. Boxing training is held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, the keep-fit and weightlifting on Monday to Friday, and sessions run from 6pm.

The spokesman added: "Anyone who wants to keep fit is welcome. We have good facilities and our rates are extremely competitive."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.