Springhill ABC boxer Josh Mullen strikes gold at Three Nations Championships

Springhill boxer Josh Mullen struck gold at the Junior and Youth Three Nations Championships in Barnsley, in what was Scotland’s biggest success at the tournament since the categories were merged.

In total they took 10 gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals from the event at Barnsley Metrodome on June 12 and 13.

Mullen, 16, won gold in the youth 86kg category, beating England’s Harley Carberry of Billingham Boxing Academy by unanimous decision.

There was further Lanarkshire success, as Forgewood ABC duo Maddie Clarkson (50kg) and Andrew Sneddon (51kg) also took gold in the youth section.

Springhill head coach Frank Delaney said: “This is Josh’s third title this year, having won the Western District and the Scottish title.

“He had to win the Scottish title to go for the British, and he got a bye into the final, with Carberry winning his semi-final.

“He fought absolutely brilliantly, he was really on the ball that day.

“He won by unanimous decision with a great display of boxing – he was fantastic, I was really pleased with him, and that’s him British champion.”

Delaney revealed that Mullen has been transformed from a scrappy fighter to an accomplished boxer, and said it was great to see how much progress the teenager has made.

H e added: “Josh is getting better all the time. He has only had 15 bouts, that was his 15th and he’s won a British title. He’s a big laddie – he’s 86kg and 6ft 2ins.

“When Josh started, he wanted to fight all the time, he was a bit scrappy, and liked to mix it with everybody.

“So it’s great for me to see this, because we’ve been working with him, trying to get him to box, rather than scrap.

“We’ve gradually been getting there and down in Barnsley he looked accomplished. He really looked the part.”