ST HELENS Town Amateur Boxing Club star Stephen Birch is heading to Croatia today (Thursday) for the European Junior (under 19s) Championships.
Selection for the championships is a big honour for the talented 17-year-old and club officials are hopeful that he can get among the medals.
Among the top-class opponents lying in wait for Birch is unbeaten Irishman Gerald McAuley who recently inflicted a first-ever international defeat on the local lad.
But a club spokesman commented: "That defeat was a bit of a setback for Stephen but he contributed to his own downfall and was only just pipped. If they meet again in Croatia we are confident Stephen will come out on top this time."
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