A young boxer says he wants to keep improving his style to become a better fighter after being crowned as one of Sussex’s best young talents.

Alfie Craker won his fight in the Mile Oak Boxing Academy showcase where he was pitted against one of the best fighters from Kent in an inter-county bout.

Now, Alfie wants to take his boxing to the next level in a bid to improve himself and conquer the amateur divisions.

The 19-year-old said: “I feel like I have improved a lot by staying calmer in the ring. I used to be bit of a headless chicken and try to knock everyone out with each punch – now I try to pick my shots more.

“This fighter was a bit different to what I have fought before. I just tried to avoid the big shots and move around.

“I’m very happy with how I fought and it was a really well run show.”

Patcham-based fighter Alfie, who boxes out of the Moulsecoomb Boxing Club, has won eight of his 15 fights so far having first picked up the gloves at ten years old.

He says that despite a string of recent wins he had to bounce back from two narrow split decision losses – something he said was “frustrating when I was so close to winning”.

On Saturday, Alfie won his fight by unanimous points decision as Sussex took an 8-4 win in the boxing showcase.

Mile Oak Boxing Academy coach Bill Davies selected Alfie as Sussex’s best boxer which he says he is very proud to have received.

Looking to the future, Alfie said: “Longer term I want to see how far I can get in the amateurs.

“I think the best way I can improve is by sticking to it and listening to my coaches.”

Mile Oak boxing academy caters to children as young as eight and features three coaches.

The showcase at the Portslade Sports Centre pitted the best boxers from the county against the best fighters in Kent.