WALTHAM Abbey boxer Ryan Pickard completed a great week by picking up a gold medal fighting for England in a four nations event in Liverpool on Saturday.

The competition, which also included Ireland, Wales and Scotland was held over three days, and saw the talented 16-year-old take gold in the under-63.5 kg weight division.

Despite finding himself up against some tough opposition Pickard secured, 10-3 points victory via computer scoring over four-times national champion Thomas Hearns from Wales in the semi-final before putting in an impressive display against three-times national champion Clive Moran from Ireland in the final to clearly win 8-0 on points.

Pickard also had the honour of receiving a pair of awards from the Duke of Edinburgh on Tuesday after being crowned National Amateur Boxing Champion in the u-60k weight division and best stylist at the London Heathrow Youth Games.

Ryan has also found success overseas with a three-round points victory in America over US fighter and two-times Venezuelan national champion Freddie Castellino. This fight took place in New York at a charity event held between Ryan's club Repton and the Dover Club in New Jersey.

The delighted youngster said: "The last couple of weeks have been great, although I was particularly proud to fight for my country.

"After being out of the sport for 18 months after having a brace fitted I am pleased that since coming back in November I have been undefeated.

"I now hope I can continue to progress so that I have a chance of fulfilling my dreams of fighting at both the Commonwealth and Olympic games."

July 11, 2002 11:00