JOHN WATSON was once again the star of the show as Merseyside defeated Manchester 5-1 as the Senior ABA Championships reached the North West finals stage at the weekend.
Higherside ABC's light-welterweight star claimed his first stoppage win of this year's championships as he proved too fast and too strong for Workington's Darren Askew.
Friday's finals also proved successful for Liverpool's England number one David Mul-holland, in his first outing since August, who outclassed the dangerous Stuart McFadden of Sandygate ABC.
However, the Anfield featherweight is now expected to withdraw from the ABA's and focus on this month's Olympic qualifying tournament in Poland.
Fellow England number one, middleweight Steven Birch, also impressed at the weekend as he gave Mancunian Paul Owen a boxing lesson.
And there was also strong points wins for in-from St Helens welter Martin Murray and returning light-heavy Paul Keir.
Stephen Jennings was the city's only loser after he got distracted after knocking his opponent over in the second round.
All five now move into the quarter-finals, when the North West will clash with the South, on a full 10-bout card at Everton Park on Friday, March 12.
FULL RESULTS
North West Counties Finals: 57Kg: David Mulholland (Salisbury ABC) Wpts Stuart McFadden (Sandygate ABC); 60Kg: Stephen Jennings (Tower Hill ABC) Lpts Liam Dorrian (Arrow ABC); 64Kg: John Watson (Higherside ABC) Wrsf3 Darren Askew (Workington ABC); 69Kg: Martin Murrary (St Helens Town ABC) Wpts Brian Rose (Blackpool ABC); 75Kg: Stephen Birch (St Helens Town ABC) Wpts Paul Owen (Olympic ABC); 81Kg: Paul Keir (Rotunda ABC) Wpts Phil Liptrott (Altrincham ABC).
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