A YOUNG boxer from Pitsea has won one of the country’s most prestigious crowns - after being named National Schoolboy Champion.

Alby Hill, 13, fights at Chadwell St Mary Amateur Boxing Club and won the prestigious honour in Manchester after defeating Alfie McKitrick, of the Phil Thomas School of Boxing, in Middlesbrough.

His club have described Alby’s achievement as ‘miraculous’ and his success didn’t stop there.

The teenager, who attends Woodlands School in Basildon, then went onto compete in the 35.5kg category in the Three Nations School Championships in Motherwell.

And he also emerged victorious in Scotland on a split decision - against the number one seed.

Alby is now eligible for selection for Team GB’s European Schoolboy Championships squad.

And he said it was an amazing feeling to defeat so many other hopefuls to sit top of the pile.

“It feels amazing to win the national title,” said the prospect from Pitsea.

“But it feels even more incredible to win the Tri-Nations. It is unbelievable.

“Now I am really hoping to get selected for the Europeans.”

And his school has praised the youngster’s commitment to the cause, admitting he puts everything into the sport.

“Alby had to work incredibly hard in training to get to the standard required to compete at this level,” said a Woodlands School spokesperson.

“Alby was training five times a week, and each session was a gruelling two hours long.

“He had done this for ten weeks leading up to the national title fight.”