EASTBURN Amateur Boxing Club’s Josh Holmes won his England Senior Development Championship quarter-final bout on a unanimous verdict at Doncaster Dome last night with a superb display against Jason Weir.

His Astley VIP opponent – who was the North-West and Tyne & Wear champion – lasted the distance despite some severe punishment from the Eastburn ace.

Coach Naz Jalil said: “Josh was so determined. He nearly had him in the first round when his legs almost went.

“But because Jason is an experienced boxer, he recovered well and fair play to him for that.”

Holmes remained the dominant force throughout the contest but Weir held out to go the distance.

Jalil said: “I told Josh to go all out in the last round and he still had bags of energy.

“He had him at a standing eight count but it was not enough to finish him off – it’s champion v champion after all at this stage.

“I don’t how he stood up to it but credit to him for taking the punishment. He deserved to last three rounds for that.”

Now Holmes, from Earby, is due to box in the semi-final at the same venue on Sunday and Jalil admits having to go again so soon is not ideal.

The original date for the quarter-final had been last Sunday but the bout was put on hold until last night, and the venue switched, due to vandalism at the scheduled location at Havercroft.