Lee Jenman enjoyed a silver lining to his England debut.

The 17-year-old Southwick-Savages club ace flew the flag to earn runners-up spot in the Olympic-style Junior International Boxing Invitation in Marquette, Michigan, in the United States.

Portslade Community College pupil Jenman, a Junior ABA champion, overcame tough Mexican Sergio Mendez in the semi-final.

It took a boxer from the world-famous Kronk gym, Aaron Williams, to stop his bid for a gold medal in a competition featuring 12 countries mainly from the Americas.

Middleweight Jenman said: "It was the first time I had boxed abroad and a great experience. I was excited and nervous going into it.

"The silver medal means more to me than the gold I won in the nationals because I was fighting for my country as well as myself. I'm very proud of what I did out there.

"It was an indication of the progress I have made this year.

"Mendez was a good technical fighter and he was aggressive. He put me on the back foot but I managed to outscore him over three rounds 34-12.

"Williams was huge, so much bigger than me, and with a lot of experience, 78 bouts, 75 wins. I stuck it for the first round and put him down, but he upped the pace in the second round, yet I'm pleased with the silver medal."

A delighted Jenman added: "The trip was good from a personal as well as boxing point of view because I made some new friends. It certainly helped to develop a team spirit among the English boys."

His club trainer Mark Wray said: "Lee started slowly this year but he's had a great year and if he keeps going the way he has done he'll have a great future."

Southwick-Savages have collected the Bill Blackmore Salver.

The award, presented to the club or individual who has done most to promote boxing in Sussex, was presented to Southwick-Savages at the county ABA's annual meeting this week.

Coach Keith Funnell said: "It means so much to this club. It recognises what we have done for the sport, the commitment of the trainers and the dedication of the boxers we have."

The James Shield for the best novice went to national novices champion Dean Larter (Southwick-Savages).

The James Cup for the best junior went to Anthony Young of Crawley, who reached the semi finals of the NABC and ABAs.