Josh Kennedy goes on the attack against Zeeshan Khan at Liverpool

Josh Kennedy was back in the gym on Monday morning, just hours after becoming the No.1 junior featherweight in England.

The 17-year-old old Folkestone ABC boxer triumphed in the Royal Navy Junior ABA Championships in Liverpool, a year after losing in the final by a single point.

This time, facing Bradford fighter Zeeshan Khan in the 54-57kg class, the pair were locked at 6-6 after four rounds and were level on countback at 13-13.

Four of the five judges awarded the bout and the title to Kennedy.

He said: "It’s the third year I have competed in this event and the last time I could take part as I’m going to be a senior next year.

"I didn’t want to leave anything to chance. Nobody knew anything about him but I wasn’t going to go in on the back foot – I just went at him for four rounds.

"I was happy because I won but I did not box to my full potential."

Kennedy might get his chance back in Liverpool later this month when he will represent England for the first time in a Four Nations event against the ABA winners from Scotland, Ireland and Wales in a four-day competition.

He said: "I am now the No.1 in England. If I can win this, then I’ll be No.1 in Great Britain. I’ve only represented Seven Counties before."

Kennedy, who turns 18 next month, said he trains so hard, twice a day, with half
an eye on his goal of
competing at the 2012 London Olympics.

He said: "My ambition is definitely to get the the Olympics.

"I want to keep progressing, get as far as I can, then hopefully get a sponsor and turn professional."

Kennedy’s trainer Harry Slater said: "The ambition is 2012.

"He has a lot of potential but there are a lot of good boys in the way. I am working him hard and we’ll see how he progresses.

"He was the only boy from the south of England
to get through in these ABA – he has got a lot going for him."