Classy boxer Josh is Taylor made for victory

Taylor was pitched against an opponent from Milton Keynes in his first outing of the new season, but the risk of potential ring-rust was dismissed instantly as he boxed a supreme opening round.

Pacing his attacks and demonstrating his knowhow, he punished his tall and powerful opponent when the jab was lazy or fell short and picked him off with sharp counters.

The Milton Keynes boxer warmed to the task in the second round and played his part in a small-hall classic featuring two of the top 60kg juniors in the country.

Taylor was agin made to work hard in a tough third round, in which both fighters showed a desire to win, but he pulled off a unanimous points win.

Meanwhile Kelly Booth put up a brave performance in her second fight when she took on Chesterfield’s novice national champion. She was forced to work hard throughout and lost out on points, but she learned plenty from the experience.

A third Buxton youngster, Archie Durham, made his debut for the club against Sonny Sweeney, of Hunslet ABC, in a show at Leeds. It was a skills bout without a declared winner, the kind of exhibition contests that have been introduced by England Boxing to prepare youngsters for competitive fights. Both lads demonstrated their abilities with a high standard of boxing, particularly Archie, who used his reach to good advantage to administer some effective, long jabs and straight rights.

Tickets are on sale now for the annual Buxton show at the Devonshire Dome on Friday, November 25. They are priced £15 (juniors £12) or £10 each for five or more.