ZAKK Gibbons has made his Bradford boxing club proud as punch after winning a national junior title.

The 12-year-old won the 48kg minor medal at the England national schools finals in Grantham.

Gibbons, who boxes for the Sedbergh club, beat opponent Brendon Pearson (Shildon) in all three rounds to earn a unanimous verdict.

Coach Peter Cannon was always confident that Gibbons, who has been boxing at the Odsal-based club for four years, would emerge unscathed.

He said: “I was expecting him to win so it wasn’t a surprise.

“There aren’t many kids around his weight because he’s a big lad for his age.

“Zakk had to come through two bouts to win it. He had a pull-out in the semis after beating a lad from Northallerton in the Yorkshire regions.

“But he won the final unanimously. He never stopped punching for three rounds.

“I told him beforehand to not leave anything behind – he gave it all in the ring and came away with the title.

“You don’t see me smile much but we’re all chuffed to bits with him! Bradford boxing is really picking up at the minute with Darren Tetley winning the (WBO) European title.”

There was another Bradford success in the junior 34kg category as Platinum’s Esah Mudasar defeat John Joe Lee (Guildford) on a split decision.