'Sid' James Smith has claimed West Hill Amateur Boxing Club's first national championship for a decade after winning the Golden Gloves.

The Hastings club junior beat Stephen Pealing, of Liverpool's Transport ABC, 5-0 on computer scoring in the Class 3 (52kg) final at Knottingley Leisure Centre, west Yorkshire last Sunday.

Smith, 14, from Buxted, suffered a controversial defeat in the semi-finals last season but made no mistake this time, taking a 2-0 lead after the first round, a 3-0 advantage after the second and adding two unanswered points in the third on a finals day notable for low scores.

Smith said: "It was really great. I was more nervous than I have been before a normal bout but this was one of the biggest bouts I have ever had.

"I dropped to my knees at the end just because it was the Golden Gloves and I was so excited to have won."

Coach Dave Bishop said: "We're all absolutely chuffed for Sid and also the club. It is our first title for almost a decade.

"Our last one was Stefan Symes in the National Schoolboys (the predecessor of the Golden Gloves).

"We have been knocking on the door and should have had a winner before this but I felt Sid could do it this year after the way he was robbed last season."

Smith is now hoping for an England call-up for a forthcoming Four Nations competition.