Canvey teenager Michaela Aubrey crowned national boxing champion

The Cornelius Vermuyden School pupil came through a semi-final with a unanimous win in Oxford and then claimed the ABA Schoolgirl 54kg title at the final in Brentwood after her opponent, Grimsby’s Millicent Hansen, withdrew the night before.

It is a great achievement for 14-year-old, who only took up boxing at Canvey ABC last year after watching Great Britain’s Nicola Adams become the first woman to ever win an Olympic boxing title at the Games in London.

Michaela’s dad Mike, who fought for Canvey with distinc-tion himself, said he was very proud.

“I was happier when she used to just do her dancing!” he said.

“I was not too impressed when she started because she is my little girl, but she has shown a lot of commitment and enthusiasm for it. She saw some of my old fights on the video tapes and decided she wanted to try it herself and she’s done well.

“I think what happened at the Olympics also has played a big part, so I guess she is what they mean when they talk about the legacy.

“She’s a clever boxer: she covers up well and moves in and out, which I am glad to see.

“It was disappointing for her when her opponent pulled out of the final because she has been training hard with road runs and going to the gym three times a week.

“But that does not take away from her achievement and we are all very proud of her.”

Mick says Michaela would like to represent Britain at the Olympics one day, but that her more immediate target is defending her title next year.

Former light heavyweight Mick had an excellent record as an amateur for Canvey and fought professionally for the club throughout Europe in the 1980s and early ‘90s.

He was ranked in the top 10 in the country in his heyday and Canvey coach Terry Dainty says Michaela is certainly a chip off the old block.

Terry said: “Mick boxed for the club and you can see that has helped Michaela. She has already shown glimpses of what she is capable of and I think she will shine for us.