THREE York Boxing Club fighters are hoping to land knockout blows in prestigious competitions.

Anthony Claridge and Lewis Connors will represent England and Ireland respectively in an international select match in Riccall at the end of the month, while teenager Cam Shaw is battling for the honour of the Walmgate club at the Youth Amateur Boxing Association Championships.

The 17-year-old, from Huntington, will fight for the first time over a trio of three-minute rounds in regional qualifying at Havercroft, in Leeds.

For 27-year-old Claridge, from Murton, and 17-year-old Connors, who lives near Tadcaster, the chance to represent their countries is a huge honour.

Club head coach Billy Wilson believes the progress of the three is an indication of the talent at the gym - hailing the club’s depth as the “strongest for a long time”.

Claridge, who has been boxing for four years, said of his England call-up: “It just came about by chance and I am really looking forward to it. It will be great - it’s a good achievement to have under my belt and I will look to keep going forward.

“It’s the first time I will have fought for the England select side and I would like to do it again. York Boxing Club is the biggest in York.

“It’s a good atmosphere, there’s a lot of talent here. Even when you spar with the young lads, they hit like men. It’s quite an eye opener.”

Shaw added: “I have trained hard. I will get into the ABAs and just see how it goes. There is going to be just one winner. I definitely fancy myself to win.

“I have been boxing for two-and-a-half years. This will be up there with the biggest competitions of my career and I will have to keep my head on the game, be confident with myself and know I have got to win.”

Connors, the nephew of former undefeated European, Commonwealth and British super-middle-weight champion Henry Wharton, said: “At a young age I started with Billy and I feel comfortable with him. I am very excited about being in the Irish select team.

“I have known about it for a long time - about three months - and have been training all the way through. I am looking forward to it.

It’s a big achievement for me and I hope to win.

“It’s the biggest competition I have had so far. I am training hard.”

Wilson, who has served seven years as the gym’s head coach, said he got tremendous pride from seeing fighters he had nurtured since they were youngsters making great strides in the ring.

He said: “Every time I see a kid in the ring that started with me from ten and 11-years-old, to get them onto an international stage feels good. There is a good camaraderie among all the kids but it is like that in any good gym.

York Press:

DEFENCE: Lewis Connors, right, takes guard as Anthony Claridge prepares to attack

“When we go away to box, everybody goes to watch one kid box - whether it is a ten-year-old or a super-heavyweight kid, everyone goes to watch them fight.

“They train together, have a laugh together. They are mates outside of the gym as well as in.”