GEORGE Drinkwater is the latest talented young boxer to roll off the Roche Boxing Club production line.

The 14-year-old is the second national champion produced by the Burnley club after winning the Golden Gloves title.

And with two area champions and a clutch of talented young fighters also coming through, club founder Brian Roche is thrilled.

“A lot of people I speak to can’t believe we have produced so many champions in such a short time,” said Roche who fought for British and Commonwealth titles du-ring his own career.

“And the thing is, we have more to come. There are a lot of talented young fighters in this area.”

Drinkwater follows stablemate Jack Steff to a national schoolboy ABA Golden Glove title after beating Billy Beer from Repton ABC at Cedar Mount in Manchester.

It was a 15th straight victory for the Burnley teenager who has developed devastating punching power during that winning streak - which includes six stoppages within the distance.

“The beginning of his career was very much hit and miss,” added Roche. “I think he had a 50-50 record after his opening 20-odd fights so he knew he had a lot of work to do.

“But he has done that and his record since has been faultless. To stop six fighters in that spell does not happen very often.”

And Drinkwater is set to become the second Roche fighter to earn his national vest when he represents England in the Tri Nations in June.

Rawenstall’s Steff, who won a Golden Gloves and three junior ABA titles, has fought for England on five occasions and Roche has backed Drinkwater to do likewise.

“Jack is a great fighter and that is shown by the national titles he was won. A lot of the big promoters are after him, trying to get him to turn professional. But I think he should wait and see what he can achieve in the amateur ranks.

“George has the potential to be even more successful than Jack. While Jack he a wonderful, technical boxer he is not really a puncher. He relies on his skill in the ring.

“George, on the other hand, is a puncher as he has shown with his stoppages. He is a very exciting fighter and I think he could go on do what Jack has done at the least.

“I’m looking forward to him fighter for England, he really deserves it.”

The Briercliffe Road club also boasts two North West title holders in Sean Hughes and Uwais Majeed, champions in their respective weight categories.

“Considering we only opened up four years ago, we have done very well,” added Roche, who hails from Bacup. “We’ve moved to new premises and that has really helped and we now have other young fighters progressing towards titles.”

For more information on the club including opening times, contact Brian Roche on 07749 903771.