Westree boxer Jimmy Dean Wood wins Tri Nations gold for England

Westree boxer Jimmy Dean Wood has won Tri Nations gold representing England.

It’s the latest achievement in a year to remember for the 17-year-old from Maidstone.

In February, he won the under-71kg national final, earning Tri Nations selection, and last month captured the Southern Area title.

There could still be more to come, with Wood’s gold medal set to give him a shot at qualifying for the World Championships, in Spain, in November.

“That would be the full stop to the year,” said Wood.

Wood travelled to Barnsley for the Tri Nations.

On Saturday, he faced an opponent intent on revenge in Welshman Luke Corcoran, the Westree teenager having recently stopped him in the third round.

Corcoran threw everything at him but Wood was up to the task and took a 3-2 split decision.

On Sunday, he beat Scotland’s Declan McPhee on a 4-1 split to land the gold medal.

“It’s been a good year but the Tri Nations is the best so far,” said Wood.

“It’s different representing your country, wearing that England vest.

“The semi-final was the harder fight.

“I stopped Corcoran in the third round a couple of weeks back and he came all guns blazing for me this time.

“He came after me, not wanting to lose again, and it’s a case of sitting on the back foot and picking him off as he’s coming for you.

“If you go all guns blazing with him, there’s a possibility you’ll get beat or stopped because he’s trying to show more power and quality to beat you.

“McPhee came out boxing, which was the difference.

“I put him down with my first punch but the ref didn’t see it and put it down as a slip, which is fair enough.

“He tried playing me at my own game but I outboxed him.”

Wood hopes to follow Westree brothers Sam and Sean Noakes into the pro game but there’s