Lee Jenman solved a weight problem to be crowned national champion.

The 16-year-old from Hangleton moved up from under-71kilo to lift the Junior ABA under-75kilo title with a points victory over Lee Dawson (Hartlepool) at Crystal Palace.

The Portslade Community College pupil suffered a semi-final defeat in the National Schools and a quarter-finals loss in National Association of Boys' Clubs Championships at the lighter weight to Brian Barrett (London) this season.

He was a beaten finalist in the National Schools' event last year. But this time he made no mistake.

Jenman, the first Southwick Savage Club junior to be a national champion, said: "I was struggling to make the weight. It meant I didn't have to lose weight quickly and it made a difference as did training harder.

"Having a national senior champion in Dean Larter in the club gym was an inspiration too.

"I've spent the last five or six years working towards being a champion and now I am one. I've won 40 trophies and the medal I've got is the smallest but it is the most important."

Jenman is especially delighted after last year's final defeat.

He said: "I froze last year because of nerves. But I was calmer this time. I sat in the dressing room trying hard to focus on the fight, map it out and not allow myself to be distracted. In the fight I tried to keep my cool, to control myself from going forward too much and I did."

Jenman's moment of glory was diluted by a mix-up.

He said: "The ring announcer called out the name of a boxer who took part in the previous bout. I was bemused, but they got it right in the end."

The effort could seal him an England call-up.

He said: "There were England selectors there, so hopefully they were impressed. I'd love to box for my country.

"I got into the training squad and worked under Jim Irwin, the coach to Audley Harrison, but haven't been asked to train with them lately. Maybe I will again now. I'd love to go all the way to the Olympics and win gold like Audley."

His trainer Mark Wray was pleased Jenman showed patience.

He said: "Lee can be an aggressive fighter and has had some erratic results this season. But, with the nationals fights judged on computer scoring, we wanted him to stand off a bit and pick his punches. He hurt his opponent early on and then did what we asked of him.

"With Dean Larter, we have two role models for the kids coming through like Joe White, Luke Hunt, who won the a Southern minors' crown, and Lee's cousin Nicky."

The Jenmans had a double celebration with Lee's 15-year-old cousin Nicky knocking out Louis Pizey (Norwich) in the opening round of their 67kilo contest in the Eastern Counties event in Norwich.