BOXER Anthony Claridge has been crowned a king of the ring after winning gold at a prestigious amateur tournament.

The 28-year-old, who trains at York Boxing Club in Walmgate, defeated Karl Forsythe in the 69kg welterweight division at the Haringey Box Cup in front of hundreds of enthusiastic fight fans at London's Alexandra Palace.

More than 300 boxers descended on the venue for Europe's largest amateur event and, after negotiating three tough fights in three days, it was Claridge who was the last man standing and the gold medal winner.

Competing over three two-minute rounds, Claridge saw off Simon Truelove in a quarter-final match-up before dominating Irish fighter Oisin Ward with his jab to surge through to the final against Forsythe. In a tough bout, he edged a split points decision to win the gold medal.

Now he is hoping to make it third time lucky at the ABA finals in September as he basks in his biggest boxing achievement.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet, to be honest," Claridge said. "It was amazing - the biggest venue I have ever fought in. I have had a fight at Salford City Stadium before but this was no comparison to that. It was a great atmosphere. All the fans there know what it takes and there was a lot of appreciation. There was also a lot of respect from opponents."

On the help he has been given by York Boxing Club head coach Billy Wilson, and trainer Isaac Inns, he added: "They are brilliant coaches and they look after you and put you in the right direction. It was good to get it done. You have an overall plan in your head and to pull it off is a great feeling. You tell yourself all the way through that you are going to win but you are never 100 per cent.

"You know you have to give 100 per cent and you always feel like you could do better but it went as well as it could have done. On the third day I was pretty tired and beat up but the adrenalin gets you through and you don't want to let the coaches down and your friends."

Claridge continued: "I will treasure the medal. I am off back to the ABAs. I have been twice to the finals in the last two years and I have been unlucky with split decisions. Hopefully this year I will do the job and get the ABA title."

Wilson said: "This is a fantastic achievement. The Haringey Box Cup is one of the biggest amateur boxing competitions in Europe. It is very, very prestigious and it is really going to elevate his status for next season.

"It is fantastic for him and the club. We took a full team down there and they did very well. Cam Shaw got to the semi-finals and lost to a very strong Nigerian and Ollie Ward, who has had fewer than ten fights, also got to the semi-final. It was fantastic for all of them.

"It was a brilliant atmosphere and Joe Calzaghe was there as was Glenn McCrory and James DeGale - they were all just walking around and watching boxing. Anthony is now going to box in the ABA's in September and, hopefully, it will lead to an England call up.

"He has trained really hard. He has only been with our gym a year and, to perform like that on such a big stage, was just unbelievable."