An impressive performance from Charlie Hickford led to him being crowned England schools boxing champion.

Repton ABC’s Hickford claimed a unanimous points win over Salisbury ABC’s Vaughan Gates in the final of the Class A 31kg category.

The 13-year-old, who attends the Hundred of Hoo Academy, was competing in Sheffield last Saturday alongside the best youngsters in the country.

Playing a key part in the schoolboy’s success are Medway coaching team Bobby Beck and his son, Robert.

As Repton’s head junior coach, Bobby leads a team of coaches whose hard work and success led to a squad of 13 boys taking part in the England schools finals.

Hickford and his stable-mates were facing northern England’s top prospects.

Gates, from Liverpool’s famous Salisbury ABC, booked his place in the final by winning all rounds from the north of the country.

But he was no match for Hickford, who was on top in all three rounds, to claim a unanimous points decision from the judges, earning the youngster a pair of the sought-after golden gloves.