PEJ ABC Margate teenager Kian Hardy, from Deal, wins at England Boxing National Development Championships

A teenager has become a junior national boxing champion - months after he joined his new club without a win to his name.

Kian Hardy, 15, linked up with PEJ ABC Margate earlier this year. The club have developed a strong reputation within amateur boxing and have helped Hardy, from Deal, find a winning formula.

He beat Zain Mohammed, of South Derby, at last month’s England Boxing National Development Championships in the under-44kg male junior class B category Final at the Cannock Chase Leisure Centre by a unanimous decision.

The triumph saw Hardy become the club’s fourth national champion.

Dad Aaron said: “Kian joined in January.

“He had three fights before he joined them - and lost all three, being at two previous clubs, just trying to find his feet.

“But within 10 months of being at PEJ, he has won all his fights.

“He won in the Manchester Box Cup at the end of July and, now, he has just become national champion, winning the Kent title and the Southern Counties title along the way.”

Hardy, who is also studying for his GCSEs this academic year, has lots of commitments to juggle.

“We have to do a lot of travelling,” admitted Aaron.

“There’s a lot of time and effort that Kian has to put in, as you can imagine. Kian’s doing his GCSEs this year as well.

“We’re super proud of him. Winning a national title is probably the biggest thing he can do in his boxing career at the moment.”

But Hardy wasn’t the only PEJ ABC Margate fighter in action at the England Boxing National Development Championships.

Club-mate Troy Ledene, 18, was edged out by Kings’ Sonny Hughes in the male Youth under-54kg Final while 15-year-old Ella Cooper - who is also from Deal - took home a silver.

On the club, Aaron said: “They have produced some good