NATIONAL Schoolboy champion Amir Khan had to show all his class in a dramatic defence of his area tittle.

The Bury ABC's England International and Smithills School pupil outpointed Manchester's Anthony Bowker in the outstanding Greater Manchester regional final at Bamber Bridge Lesiure Centre.

Khan's experience and dedication paid off as he forced Bowker, from Northside, Clayton, who had won all of his previous eight contests, to take two standing counts on his way to a unanimous victory. The support for Bowker from the crowd was overwhelming and the referee at one point stopped the bout until his supporters calmed down, but this did not upset Khan's rhythm of movement and he comfortably proved why he was the title holder by keeping his focus in the ring.

The Heaton teenager fights on Saturday in the Northwest Final against the Merseyside champion at Everton Leisure Centre.