The son of a Chorley fight favourite has proved he really is a chip off the old block by becoming a national champion. 

Mikey Jennings Jnr, the son of the former British welterweight champion who also fought Miguel Cotto for a world title in New York, is the new National Schools Class B Under 65kg champion.

Having come through his semi-final on Saturday by stopping Weston Warriors’ Billy Downton the 13-year-old beat March ABC’s Billy Baxter by split decision to lift the title on Sunday at the K2 Crawley. 

Victory not only saw the Holy Cross High School pupil follow in his father’s footsteps but also become Jennings Gym’s first national champion less than a year after taking up the sport.  

Lancashire Telegraph: Mikey Jennings in action during finals weekend. Picture: Andy ChubbMikey Jennings in action during finals weekend. Picture: Andy Chubb

“It was a brilliant day,” said Michael, who trains both amateur and professional fighters with his brother Dave in Coppull. 

“He’s the gym’s first national champion and it’s madness really, maybe it was meant to be?

“He only started boxing in October. He’s a fit kid who is really strong and is just overwhelming all the people at his age. 

“Every fight he’s had he’s given a standing count, dropped them or stopped them.”

The younger Jennings, also a talented footballer who plays for Charnock Richard, is already around his father’s professional fight weight and has won this first major title quicker than his dad with comparisons between the two obvious. 

“He’s got there one fight before me!” said Michael. 

“He’s only had three when we put him in for the championships and I’d had four. 

“He’s a big lad, he’s about the same weight I was now as a professional. 

“He’s about 144 or145 and I was a welterweight at 147.

“He said it was the best feeling he’s had playing sport so far.”

Becoming a national champion means Jennings moves onto England honours, a training day in Sheffield coming before the GB Schools Three nations from June 7 to 9.

Accrington’s Joe Young was the other Jennings Gym representative over the weekend. He lost in the semi-finals in a competitive fight to the eventual winner of the Class B Under 41.5kg category, Joshua Rose of Hall Green ABC.