International win for teenage fighter Danny Steele

Boxing prospect Danny Steele proved himself on the international stage with victory in Dublin.

Steele, 16, of Newark, won the 69kg category for his age group at the Monkstown International Boxing Cup, one of the biggest amateur boxing events.

The teenager, who trains out of Epic Golden Gloves Boxing Club on Millgate, Newark, started his campaign with a first-round stoppage win against Irish boxer Miles Moyinahan.

That took Steele through to the final against Taylor Bevan, of Southampton, who had previously beaten the Newark fighter in a closely- fought bout.

Steele gained revenge as both boxers showed their skills in a close match.

After Steele won gold, his coach, Esham Pickering, a former British, Commonwealth and European champion, said he was proud.

“Danny did exceptionally well against another tough boxer, and proved he has what it takes to go places in the sport,” said Pickering.

“I know from becoming a champion myself the confidence he will take from this. It could propel him to the next level.

“If he carries on being as dedicated as he has been, he will go on to bigger and better things.”

Pickering said it was good for Steele to fight in the tournament.

“He is normally a few kilos heavier, so it was tough for him to make the weight.

“But he listens to me and gets the job done.

“There were people from all over the world at the tournament. We had a great time meeting a lot of new people.

“We took Danny over for the experience — that’s what he got, and then some.”