CARLISLE Villa Amateur Boxing Club have made an impressive start to the new boxing season after 18 months of inactivity due to Covid-19.

With six wins in three weeks, the club have impressed on their travels once again.

Firstly, Mitchel Watson took part in Brandon Boxing Club's show in Durham. Mitchel was matched against unbeaten prospect Harvey Smith who was representing the host club.

Mitchel boxed well in all three rounds to take an impressive unanimous point victory.

Marc Haughan, 17, was hoping to build on the success he had prior to lockdown when he picked up the National Junior Development Title at 70kgs.

With only 48 hours’ notice, Marc travelled to Leicester to take on East Midland Champion Calvin Chekki who represents West Warwicks Boxing Club.

Chekki started well countering Marc’s every move, but it was Marc who landed the best shot of the round - a long left to the head - which forced Chekki on to the ropes where he covered up well to evade Marc’s follow-up.

After the third round, the result was the same on all three judges’ scorecards - a unanimous decision to Haughan.

It was back down to Leicester the following weekend for another bout where Mitchel Watson was hoping to make it two out of two in a week.

He was matched against local lad Spencer Stacey on his home show at the Leicester Sports Centre.

He didn’t disappoint and pushed Mitchel back for the whole third round, but good footwork and hand speed kept Mitchel out of trouble and he took the win by split decision.

Next up for the Villa was a trip to Blackburn, where four boxers took part in Technique ABC open show at Blackburn Youth Zone.

Cain Quinn took part in a contest with a local favourite - Cain landing the cleaner punches done enough to earn a unanimous points win.

It was 15-year-old Orlando who was next to hit the road as he was taking part in the National Development regional finals in Manchester.

Matched against southpaw boxer Archie Ferguson (Jennings CBA) in the under 60kg junior final. With the round drawing to a close Orlando launched a four punch salvo which his opponent took well but looked very dejected as the bell sounded. Orlando was crowned regional champion and moves on to next weekend where he will take on the North East champion in the National Quarter Finals in Manchester.

To finish off a busy and successful couple of weeks David Quinn, 17, was back in action. He took on Will Williams (Jennings CBA) on their home show in Chorley, Lancashire. The crowd were on their feet the whole bout as both boxers were landing heavy shots but it was David who came away with a well-deserved split decision win.