Border City ABC are looking ahead to their new season after schoolboy national champion John-Joe Carrigan took part in an England talent pathway session.

Held at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield on Sunday, it saw Carrigan, who beat Five Star Boxing’s Martin Sweeney in the final in May, meet up with the national coaches and fellow national champions.

"John-Joe was put through his paces doing different drills, technical work and sparring which he, as ever, gave 100 per cent towards. He enjoyed the day, especially the sparring," said Ian Archibald, one of Carlisle-based Border City’s coaches.

"Still only 12, John-Joe is one of the hardest trainers in the club and all his hard work is paying off.

"He has been invited back down for another camp which is great news for himself and Border City."

Fellow national champion and club-mate Jack Turnbull, meanwhile, has recently returned from Bulgaria, where he represented England.

He beat an Irish fighter in the first round, but Turnbull then fell short in his next bout, losing on a close-split decision against a Georgian boxer.

Archibald added: “The club is on the up. We have a great stable of boxers and a great coaching team who all work well together.

"The new season is upon us and all boxers are back in pre-season training and raring to go.”

City have shows booked in early October and December.