Manx Amateur Boxing Club’s new year got off to a flying start with three wins out of three on their travels at the weekend.

Coastal Boxing Club played host to two of the Isle of Man boxers on Saturday night at the Red Rose Community Centre in Morecambe.

Manx ABC’s all-action John Horne made it two wins out of 3 when he took on Fleetwood boxer Sam Smith in a hard-fought three two-minute youth contest.

Horne’s fast and furious style made it difficult for the stocky Fleetwood boy to keep up with his pace and spent most of the contest on the backfoot, trying to defend the young Castletown man’s advances.

Despite Smith having some good success in the second round, Horne’s fitness and speed were too much and the Manxman ran out a comfortable unanimous points winner.

Next up for the island team was Pedro Cardoso who took on Blackpool boxer Klause Ndinga in a three-round middleweight contest.

The home fighter started much livelier but Cardoso found his range and had success picking his man off with long-range jabs.

The bout was spoiled slightly with the Blackpool boxer guilty of constantly holding, but a good burst of attack from the Manx boxer saw the Isle of Man score its second win of the night.

The Manx ABC team then headed to Manchester on Sunday for the semi-final of the Northwest Regional Division ABA Championships.

Here, the Isle of Man’s TJ Phair took on Hassan IIyas from the Gloves Boxing Club in Bolton in the 57kg youth division.

This was TJ’s best performance so far this season, using all his skills and speed to outwit and outbox a very tough and aggressive opponent as a fast start and positive approach from the Manxman set the pace for an excellent bout.

Hassan started on the frontfoot, throwing short-range hooks to the body and head.

But Phair’s quick feet and counter-punching only served to frustrate his man and the Douglas boxer ended the round in strong fashion.

The second round was a bit more even with the Bolton boxer having some good early success, but again TJ’s fast counter-punches and quick feet set the two apart.

Sensing he was behind, Hassan tried to chase down and force the fight but TJ was equal to his effort and responded strongly with heavy shots to the body and head.

With a strong finish to the round, TJ was announced the winner and will now progress to next week’s regional final where the Manx boxer will face a familiar foe in reigning champion Jadon Johnston.

Phair won their last encounter in 2019 to become the regional champion and will have to repeat that victory if he is to push on to the English national stages.