A TEENAGE boxer from Teesside has claimed a medal at the EUBC European Boxing Championship.

William Howe, from the Phil Thomas School of Boxing in Middlesbrough, was one of only two English fighters to get a podium.

He claimed bronze in the light-heavyweight division despite it being only Howe’s tenth competitive bout.

Jack Oliphant, from Bexleyheath, Kent, won his category in Albena, Bulgaria. The 16-year-old from Bodyshots Academy of Boxing, Crayford, secured the light-welterweight (63kg) title and the ‘Boxer of the Tournament’ trophy with a unanimous 5-0 victory over the home favourite, Emirdzhan Mehmen in the final.

Jack had to box five times and defeated national champions from Russia, Georgia, Belarus and Azerbaijan on his way to the title.

England Boxing’s head national coach Micky Driscoll said: “Jack has boxed absolutely superbly this week and was, by some distance, the outstanding boxer in a very high quality tournament.

“To defeat the champions from such powerful boxing nations as Russia and Azerbaijan is a fantastic achievement and he should be extremely proud of what he has done this week.

“For William to secure a European bronze medal in only his tenth bout is incredible and indicates he has a very bright future. Both boys have maintained England’s excellent track record in the European Championships and shown that we have some excellent talents coming through that can go on to achieve even greater things in years to come.”