Bolton amateur boxer Jamie Kessebeh is aiming for the top in his sport after winning a national title.

The 21-year-old middleweight is unbeaten as an amateur just two years after he first stepped into the ring competitively.

And his rapid rise since joining the renowned Elite Gym, in Halliwell, has not gone unnoticed with the youngster rated as one of the best amateurs in the country.

It is certainly a long way in a short space of time for the young man from Stoneclough, who initially laced up gloves to aid his football training but is now fully focused on a career in the ring.

Mum Wendy told The Bolton News: “Jamie first started boxing to increase his strength and help with his football because he was playing at a high level.

“One year down the line he fell completely in love with boxing and ended up leaving football to focus on it completely.”

Kessebeh, who attended St Saviours CofE primary school in Stoneclough and then Bury CofE High School, joined Elite and had his first amateur outing in October 2021.

Two years down the line he now has an amateur record of 16 wins from 16 fights.

He is a two-time North West Regional champion, winning titles this year and last.

And recently he won the England Boxing Development National Championship in the under-75kg middleweight category, which consisted of six fights in six weeks. This has placed him as one of the best amateurs in the country.

Now he is hoping his next fight will be representing England for Team GB with his aspiration is to represent England at home and abroad and to one day become a world champion.

He said: “I’m very happy to have won the Championships for my Elite Boxing team.

“To represent England would be a dream come true.

“I’m a local lad, proud of my roots.”

And Wendy is equally proud of her son’s achievements so far.

She added: “As a proud parent I’m in awe of his relentless determination and dedication to be the best he can be.

“It takes a lot of hard work.”