Teenager Jack Bateson is being tipped for Commonwealth Games glory after winning ABAE gold for the second year in a row.

The 18-year-old Bradford College flyweight proved far too slick for Brighton City’s Joel Spragg to earn a unanimous verdict in the finals at the Rainton Meadows Arena in Sunderland.

It made it back-to-back national titles at two different weights for the talented youngster following his success at light-fly in Bethnal Green 12 months earlier.

Bateson is already honing his skills with the Great Britain podium squad with an eye to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year and then the Olympics.

Paul Porter, Bradford College’s sports academies co-ordinator manager, has no doubt their young prodigy will be a force to be reckoned with.

He said: “I would bet on him winning a medal in Glasgow and it’s hard not to see him in the final. Barring injury or somebody coming out of nowhere, then he’s going to do very well.

“Being a double ABA champion at two different weights is something pretty special, especially given Jack’s age.

“He cruised the bout in the first round and a half and was on his toes from the start. Spragg put a lot into it late on and landed a couple of shots but was never going to catch him up at any point.”

Bateson spends four nights a week in Sheffield with the national squad. He works at Bradford College with elite coach Kevin Smith, who oversaw the Nigerian team during the London Games.

He is studying a foundation degree in sports coaching which has been tailored to fit round his boxing training.

Porter said: “We’ve also got Olly Simpson, the world youth champion, so we are fortunate to have two incredibly gifted young boxers.

“It’s quite a learning curve for us at Bradford College supporting kids at the very top.

“Great Britain have been very supportive with Jack and we’ve been backed all the way. It’s also nice to prove wrong that old stereotype that all boxers are thick. These are bright lads who are achieving great things.”

But while Bateson celebrated, there was disappointment for Bradford light-heavyweight Ashley Vanzie, who lost the closest bout of the finals.

Vanzie was edged out 3-2 on a majority decision by Ricky Crotty from Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire.

He said: “I’m devastated and I was unlucky to get ill when I did. The journey was a good one though and I learned a lot and can’t wait to get back in the ring again.”