THE North-East's answer to boxing sensation Amir Khan has punched his way to a Commonwealth Youth Games gold medal.

In Australia last weekend, Sedgefield's Bradley Saunders overcame Irishman Patrick Murphy to win the light-welterweight title despite fighting above his weight.

It was an incredible achievement for the youngster and a further sign of Saunders' potential in the sport - he previously gained honours in the World Championships and in the Multi-Nations this year.

The 18-year-old has grown up on the boxing scene with Olympic silver medalist Khan and a congratulatory phone call was exchanged between the two on Sunday.

"Amir rang me to say tremendous," said Saunders. "It was nice of him and we have been in touch for years now. We have fought for England together and we are both at the same age level."

Had fortune been on the other man's side it could have been Saunders basking in the media glory that has surrounded his friend from Bolton since his journey to Athens.

Khan was given an opportunity to become Britain's youngest Olympic boxer in the summer and remarkably, at the age of 17, he claimed a silver medal.

But Khan was only given a chance to fight in the 60kg category because of a lack of competitors available to take part.

Saunders was not so lucky but he is determined to make just as big a name for himself inside the ring and he is going exactly the right way about it.

There was a chance that the South Durham ABC boxer could have missed out again on the trip to Australia in the Commonwealths. But took a chance and fought 8kg above his usual weight.

After beating Australian No 1 Michael Hatwell in the semi-finals, Saunders, despite being a lot smaller than Murphy, knocked his opponent to the canvas and forced a standing eight count before being crowned champion.

"It was a fantastic feeling," said Saunders, an 18-year-old fighting in the Under-21 bracket. "I don't know what it was that made me do so well against fighters older than me. It just happened.

"I went into it with nothing to lose. That was in my mind, I was just going looking for experience and it worked to my advantage. As I was smaller, I was quicker and that helped me a lot."

Since winning his first ABA title at the age of 11, Saunders has won British titles every year since and now has eight to his name.

His father, Jeff Saunders, a former amateur boxer himself, is now his coach at Fishburn's South Durham club.

Jeff flew Down Under to witness his son's fantastic achievement. "To have watched him grow as a boxer from day one has been fantastic and now he is a class act," said the 44-year-old.

"I am not letting him turn professional just yet but that's in the pipeline for one day. Amateur boxing has changed a bit now and he does get money from Sport England."

Bradley Saunders, whose 13-year-old brother, Jeff, has a record inside the ring of just three defeats in 20 contests, is now hoping for the chance to showcase his talents in front of his own supporters again.

He already spars with British super-bantamweight belt holder Michael Hunter at Neil Fannan's Hartlepool gym and there is a chance he could be on future professional shows.

Saunders, who has attracted local sponsorship from John Adamson, of Ramside Estates, and Woodcrest Developments, from Sedgefield, now has his sights set on the senior Commonwealth Games and the World Championships.

He said: "To fight on a pro show up here as an amateur, which is going to be the case in the future apparently, with rules changing, would be great.