A TALENTED young sportsman who plays for the Spurs youth team has boxed himself to a national title.

After fighting past five opponents, on Saturday Joel Fielder won a close bout to claim the Amateur Boxing Association's National School Boy title.

The 13-year-old, who competes in the 50 to 52kg category, trains at Cheshunt Amateur Boxing club and is hugely committed to his craft.

Danny Fielder, Joel's dad and a professional boxing coach, said: "He has been boxing since he was a little boy, since he could walk.

"He trains for about three hours a day, half boxing and half football.

"He's a brilliant kid with a lot of self determination. If he's got a day off on Saturday he'll get up at 6am and go on a run."

The Epping St John's pupil's hard work paid off when he beat Steven Ward in Cheltenham on Saturday.

Mr Fielder added: "It went down to the judge's decision but he put the pressure on the other kid.

"Steven is from a well known boxing family and he gave him a tough fight.

"Joel tired a bit in the final round but he won on points."

Sport clearly runs in the Fielder family's blood.

A good footballer in his youth and a former Royal Marine commando, Mr Fielder's athletic prowess has 'rubbed off a little' on ten year daughter Tara, who plays football for Essex County, and on Joel.

When not in the boxing gym, the Birch View resident plays for Tottenham Hotspur Youth Team on a trial basis.

"He loves boxing and football equally," Mr Fielder said.

"But with football you don't get punched in the head for a living."