A BOURNEMOUTH teenage boxer has secured the National Youth Development title.

Leo Skinner, from Mackenzie’s Boxing Academy, progressed to the finals of the competition and took the title via a first-round stoppage in Kettering earlier this month.

In the semi-final, the 17-year-old boxed against a more experienced opponent in the under 92kg category, from the Heart of England Amateur Boxing Club.

Skinner took this fight, winning with a convincing unanimous points decision after winning each of the three rounds.

Facing him in the final was a less experienced but much taller and bigger opponent from Team Shoebox Amateur Boxing Club.

On paper, this was the easier of the two fights but Skinner has learned not to underestimate an opponent after losing two previous national championships on points decisions to take the silver medal.

But this wasn’t going to happen again for the young boxer, as he performed perfectly to his pre-fight gameplan.

He took the first 30 seconds to feel his opponent out before letting his hands go to force a standing eight count.

The ref let the bout continue, with Skinner continuing to pile the pressure on, landing a sold right hand which made his opponent’s legs buckle and he almost dropped to the canvas.

The ref stepped in for another standing eight count and then stopped the contest, with Skinner’s opponent in no fit state to continue.

This gave Skinner the win via a first-round stoppage and crowning him the National Youth Development Champion for 2024.

This is Mackenzie’s Boxing Academy’s first male national champion and seventh national champion in total.