Teenage Carlisle Villa ABC prospect Marc Haughan enjoyed success at the Junior Development North West Championships as he beat Tyldesley Centurions’ Aaron Harwood in the final.

With his semi-final opponent pulling out, Haughan was matched against the previously unbeaten Harwood in the final, so the 15-year-old knew he was going to be in for a tough encounter which consisted of three two-minute rounds.

Haughan started positively on Saturday and landed a sharp jab to the head of Harwood, which he followed up with a solid one-two combination which forced the Manchester boxer on to the ropes.

Harwood fought his way off the ropes with a straight one-two of his own but Haughan took it well and countered with a long left hand, followed by a right hook, which forced Harwood into the corner.

There, Haughan piled on the pressure, landing shots to the head and body but, once again, Harwood gamely fought back to the centre of the ring.

Haughan was utilising his superior reach as he worked well at distance, with his jab and the occasional backhand. Harwood was busy trying to avoid these punches and couldn’t land anymore of his own as the first round ended.

The second round began with Haughan dominating the centre of the ring, once again controlling things with his long jab.

Harwood then switched to a southpaw stance and had some success with his straight shots, which put Villa's Haughan on to the back foot for the first time, but he fought back well, landing a backhand to the head which forced Harwood to hold on.

Referee Chris Anderson cautioned the youngster for holding and, once the boxing resumed, it was Haughan who was looking the more dangerous, with lead hands and backhands hitting the target.

As the second round came to a close, Harwood tried to force Haughan back, but he held his ground and countered with a right hook which spun Harwood into the corner where Haughan got to work, although Harwood kept a tight defence.

Ahead of the final round, Carlisle Villa man Haughan was told the bout was his to lose and to keep the pressure on in the final round. And he didn’t disappoint, connecting with a jab followed by a one-two combination straight away, backing Harwood into his corner where Haughan landed a barrage of punches.

The game Harwood kept plugging away and had some success on the inside but Haughan finished strongly in Stalybridge, as he pinned Harwood on to the ropes and sealed the win.

This weekend, the Tyne Tees and Wear champion and East Midlands champion will meet in a pre-quarter final bout, with the winner boxing Villa’s Haughan in the national quarter-final next weekend.