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International winner

4/12/2002

TEENAGE boxing star Anthony Crolla secured another victory while on England duty.

The 16-year-old fighter from Moston beat Irish youngster Conner Flemming in a three-round contest at the County Hotel, Ipswich.

The national schoolboy champion, representing Fox Amateur Boxing Club of Newton Heath, dominated from the start, using his left jab superbly to take the first round.

The second round saw a much more convincing show from Crolla's Irish counterpart, but despite Flemming's early promise, Crolla, who attends St Matthew's High School in Moston, soon took control.

The final round saw a deflated Flemming receive a warning from the referee for holding before Crolla was proclaimed the victor.

Chief coach at Fox ABC, Jimmy Lewis, said: "Anthony has had a great year and everyone at the club is really proud of him."

He also believes Crolla has a "very bright future" in boxing.

"He is a brilliant lad who is incredibly dedicated to the sport. He loves his boxing, but he works hard at school and doesn't let boxing interfere with his studies."

Crolla now hopes to join the ranks at Hopwood Hall College's prestigious boxing academy, in September.