Newell aims for polished display

JOHN NEWELL

JOHN Newell has set his sights on avoiding a leathering in this weekend’s ABA national quarter-finals.

He faces Michael Leather, of Huyton Boxing Club, at Cedar Mount High School in Gorton on Sunday.

And 17-year-old Newell, who has been putting in the hard yards at Shannon and Ancoats gym, hopes to give a polished performance as he continues the defence of his junior title.

Dad Tony said: “We don’t know a great deal about John’s opponent, just his name.

“To be honest that suits us just fine, because it means John just has to concentrate on himself.

“Obviously it is going to be a tough fight because Leather would not be in the quarter-finals if he was not talented. But John is in great shape.”

Newell has spent the build-up to the bout sparring with light-welterweight Karl Place, labelled a star-in-the-making by Amir Khan.

Tony added: “Karl is unbelievably fit. John looks up to him.

“Training with someone like that can only be beneficial.”