A NORTH-EAST boxer celebrated winning a national title at the England Boxing Youth Championship finals held in Ferryhill.

Kieran McDonald, of the Sunderland Amateur Boxing Club, won the competition’s 49kg section.

He was one of a host of boxers from across the country who headed to Ferryhill Community Hub, in County Durham, for the tournament.

Youngsters aged between 16 and 18 took part in categories for fighters weighing between 47kgs and 91kgs last weekend. (Friday, February 20 to Sunday, February 22)

Paul Eddy, of the Seconds Out boxing club, which is based at the Lambton Road centre, organised the event.

He said: “It was a really, really good competition. The boxing was first class and we had a cracking event.

“I think that we had about 1,000 people through the doors over the three days that the boxing was on.

“It’s always nice to support local lads and well done to Kieran McDonald. It would have been nice to see more North-East lads in the competition. Hopefully more will enter next year.”

The boxers won through regional heats to qualify for the Ferryhill competition where the quarter-final, semi-final and final stages were held.

Boxer Stuart Hall, of Darlington, a former IBF Bantamweight champion, was a guest at the event.

Selectors for the Great Britain boxing squads were present.