DALLAM youngster Courtney Chadwick is king of the boxing ring after securing victory in a national competition.

The 12-year-old Phoenix Olympic Boxing Centre member beat West Ham's Tyson Price in the under 34 kilos final of the Golden Gloves Championships in Gateshead.

But the win did not come easily, as Courtney had to recover from a four points to two deficit after two rounds to win 6-5 with a last-round fightback.

Damian Ridpath, who coaches the William Beamont Sports College pupil at the boxing centre on Long Lane, said: "Courtney was a much better boxer than the other lad, but he wasn't allowed to settle in the first two rounds.

"I said to him it would take one big effort for a minute-and-a-half in the last round, and he did it. He got in some straight shots and forced the kid back.

"He found a way to win when others might not have even thought there was a way."

The William Beamont Sports College pupil had beaten Birtley's Billy Dolan and last year's southern section champion Thomas Grice, of Stevenage, in the previous two rounds.

"He's done really, really well," said Ridpath. "He's boxed against four or five different styles of fighter in the competition, but none of them have been able to combat his style.

"He's extremely talented and fast, and can do things that 16 or 17-year-olds can't do.

"It was a big night for him, but he just said to me afterwards: 'No problem, I'll beat them even easier next year.'"

Courtney is the first beneficiary of the centre's scholarship scheme, which has given extra assistance to six boxers.

But the speed with which the policy has started to bear fruits has surprised Ridpath.

He said: "We didn't think it would happen within 12 months, but there a number of kids behind him now that are coming through, although we won't rush them."

Courtney's victory may now give him the opportunity to fight in the Four Nations Championships - featuring boxers from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - when they are held in Ireland later this month.