BRADFORD boxed its way to triple stardom at the National School Championships.

Three local fighters battled to victory in their individual categories to strike gold at the tournament in Crawley.

The pick of the bouts was between Rourkey's Gym representative Quie Coleman and Bernie Mongan from Bridgewater Salford ABC.

Coleman and Mongan went toe-to-toe for the first two rounds of this Male Class B Under 35.5kg fight.

But the Bradford lad won through in the end, earning victory by a split decision after the third and final round.

Head coach at Rourkey's Gym, Kevin Rourke, said: "In the last round, I said he should stand off a bit and he was unbelievable.

"His opponent hardly hit him. I think the third round is what won it for him.

"Lots of people said it was the fight of the tournament."

He added: "We were absolutely over the moon.

"He's been trying for this for two years and he's always just fell short.

"It was great to see - the smile on his face was unreal.

Lily Deacon also did the city proud when she beat Morag Hetherington-Smith by a split decision.

The Platinum Boxing Club fighter earned victory in the Female Class A Under 54kg category.

It was a day of joy and dismay for Laisterdyke ABC though.

Esah Muddasar unfortunately lost out in his championship bout against Powerday Hooks's Michael O'Donnell in the Male Class A Under 37kg category.

But, fellow Laisterdyke boxer Michael Haley did wonders in the Male Cadet Under 40kg class.

Haley beat Joseph McDonagh of White Hart Lane ABC by a unanimous decision to take home the title.

The future of boxing is seemingly bright in Bradford and Rourke had much to say about Coleman.

He said: "Without a doubt, he has a bright future.

"That is our little motto - the only way is up."

Coleman will now compete in a national championship as part of the England talent squad, and if he makes it through that he'll move onto the European Championships in Georgia.

Rourkey's Gym is based in West Bowling and Rourke himself had much to say about the varied benefits of the sport.

He said: "It's great - Quie and his brother are basically coming from one of the most deprived estates in Bradford.

"All the others are just looking up to them and want to win what they're winning.

"They're in the gym four nights a week, just to keep them out of trouble and it's keeping them off the streets."