WORCESTER City Amateur Boxing Club's Midland champion Owen Cooper got through to the National Youth Championships semi-finals in Rotherham.

Cooper faced John Johnstone, of Bracknell's The Ring ABC, in a tough and at times brutal encounter.

Two-time European champion Johnstone was the best opponent Cooper had faced to date and the city boxer knew top form was required to make the final.

His more mature home counties opponent started strongly and hard punches with both fists from the southpaw connected early on.

It was not long before Cooper received a standing count and despite weathering the storm he received another towards the end of the first round.

But there was no panic for the Worcester corner or Cooper as he took stock of the task ahead in the minute's break.

He began to find his rhythm in the second and matched Johnstone with fast jabs and solid straight rights.

The points deficit from the first round appeared a bridge too far but Cooper continued with the challenge.

He experienced his best periods of the bout in the third and in many eyes won the final round with better work-rate and sharper punching.

But the Worcester boxer was beaten by a unanimous decision against a strong, clever fighter.

Cooper can hold his head high, having recently trained with the England squad.

Club coach Steve Brown said: "All at the boxing club are extremely proud of his achievements."