Emmanuel Kargbo happy after his win in Bolton
Emmanuel Kargbo turned 18 years old yesterday - and is already showing maturity beyond his age.
The hard-hitting amateur has been a target for boxing businessmen hoping to take him into the professional game.
But the Notre Dame High School A Level student is keen to continue studying in the ring.
"I am humble enough to say I have a lot more learning to do" says the Westfield light heavyweight.
"I am an inspiring talent and coming up and doing well, but I am learning my trade to the fullest before turning over to professional business."
The De Hood gym boxer's profile was boosted last weekend.
He stopped his opponent in the Global Glove Box Cup 2025 final in just 17 seconds of the first round, at The Hideout Arena, Bolton.
"I entered the tournament to get multiple fights, but got a bye to the final.
"I caught him with two body shots and a head shot and he needed a standing eight count" said Emmanuel.
"Then I went to work on him against and ended it with a hook.
It was the Business and Computer Science student's 12th win in 13 attempts, and he walked away with a specially made pair of gold-coloured gloves.
Emmanuel, the reigning Yorkshire cruiserweight champion, didn't have a lavish birthday celebration - he spent some of it in the Manor Top gym.
Meanwhile, on the professional side of the sport, Kell Brook hasn't lost the gift of the gab in 'retirement.'
Kell, who is due to fight in Dubai in a Ricky Hatton testimonial in the New Year was asked to rate himself against the modern-day likes of Conor Benn, Lewis Crocker and Mario Barrios.
He said a prime Kell Brook would have dismantled them "with ease. That’s fact. That’s 100%. I was the Special One, I would take care of them.
"I would walk through them, I would be too sharp, too accurate, too punch-perfect for them, they would have got dismantled.”