A LLANDRINDOD Wells teenager can boast about being a Welsh and British boxing champion after victory last weekend.

Owen Thomas wasn’t into his teens when he took up the sport five years ago. But on Saturday night, March 5, the 17-year-old was crowned Ken Coughlin Welsh Boxing Council British amateur junior middleweight champion in Newport. He is now both a UK and Welsh champion in his 65kg weight category having lifted the Welsh title last August in Ebbw Vale.

“I won the Welsh title last year so now I’m Welsh and British amateur junior champion, which sounds pretty good,” said Thomas.

“I started boxing in 2017, but only took it up seriously in 2019, so I’ve come a long way.”

Thomas’ love of the sport has been fostered and nurtured by his dad Martin, a coach at Nick’s Gym and Boxing Club in Llandrindod. Martin was an amateur for years, but has already been surpassed by his son.

“It’s in the blood,” added Thomas, a student at NPTC Group College in Newtown, where he studies sport coaching and development. “I started enjoying it, I had my first fight and then I really started enjoying it.

“I think I would love to coach one day, like dad. He’s helped me come on leaps and bounds, he’s really hands on and having been in the amateurs for years he’s so experienced and he can apply that to what he teaches.”

County Times: Owen Thomas with his dad and coach Martin Owen Thomas with his dad and coach Martin

Before he goes into that side of things though, the youngster has grand ambitions to turn professional one day, even if that’s a little way into the future.

“Maybe in a few more years,” he added. “Next, I want to have a few more fights, defend my titles then perhaps I can fight for a European or national title. I need to get my name out there more so promoters recognise me.

“I want to stay with the club, apply myself and put in the effort.”

Thomas’ record reflects the fact he is still learning his craft. He’s won four, lost four and drawn one of his bouts.

Another Nick’s Gym protégé tasted glory on Saturday, with Gareth Owen victorious too. The 23-year-old, also from Llandrindod, won the Welsh heavyweight title.

Ethan Johnstone, from Builth Wells, was also triumphant in a non-title bout, stopping his opponent in the first round, but there was not to be a clean sweep as Llandrindod’s Marcus Parker got stopped in the first round.