FOURTEEN-year-old boxer Ryan Butler signed off the season on a high by claiming an ABA junior title.

The Berry Boys ABC fighter won the 80kg class A crown in London with a second round stoppage against Yorkshire fighter Beck Emery.

And the Beauchamps School pupil is hoping to go for another title next year.

“It was awesome to win the national final,” he said. “I’m hoping to do it again next year and I would also like to aim for the internationals as well.

“The first round was a bit tight, but I was still feeling quite confident.

“I went up a gear in the second round and he (Emery) was not doing much. He got a standing eight count and about 10 or 20 seconds after that I got him with an upper cut and the ref stopped it.”

Ryan is undefeated in his seven fights, three of which have ended in stoppages in the second round. The teenager said he always weighs his opponent up in the first round before taking the fight to them.

Berry Boys coach Mark Quirey was in Ryan’s corner in the final and was impressed by his fighter.

“He was far too good for Beck and as soon as Ryan hit him a couple of times, I though that it would not go the distance,” said the former pro fighter.

“For a kid of his age, Ryan was very well controlled and when the other lad was given a standing eight it looked like the ref was thinking of stopping it.

“Ryan then caught him with a right uppercut which nearly took his head off and we knew the ref would stop it then.”

The teenager joined the club, which is based in Vallance Way, Langdon Hills, four years ago and has worked hard for his success.

But his age and weight means Ryan has had to travel around the country to get fights.

And he admitted that the travelling was a pain but said it did not affect him once he steps into the ring.

Club chief Ned Quirey said Ryan had knuckled down, lost weight and the title was reward for his dedication.

“We’re really pleased for Ryan but we’re also pleased for the club because our last national champion was around 18 years ago,” said Quirey.

“We have been working towards that ever since and we knew we would get back on top eventually.

“But it’s been difficult because the lads are not coming into the sport like they used to.”