JORGEN Cetaj has been crowned European Cadets Middleweight Champion after a courageous comeback in Saturday's final in Sardinia.

The 16-year-old Walcot boxer came from behind to outpoint home favourite Giulio Schiavon 15-14 in the championship decider.

Cetaj took time to get to grips with Schiavon's robust style, and the Churchfields schoolboy found himself 6-4 down at the end of the opening round.

When the bell sounded to end round two, Cetaj trailed the Italian 12-9 and saw his dreams of a gold medal slipping away.

But a stirring fightback in round three saw Cetaj rock his fellow southpaw with a series of uppercuts to take the middleweight crown.

"To be a European champion is brilliant," said Cetaj.

"I thought I had a good chance to do well in this competition, but I never expected to win it.

"When I saw how big my opponent was in the final I thought oh dear.' "He was bigger than me and had a much longer reach and his style was very physical. He was a tough kid."

Cetaj revealed he drew inspiration from his corner as he sought to turn the fight around.

He said: "The coach asked me at the end of the second round How much do you want it?' "After that I gave it my all and just kept throwing punches right to the end. We even got a couple of punches in after the bell.

He added: "It was a very hard fight and I'm so glad I managed to come through it."

Walcot chairman Dave Veysey said: "I'm delighted for Jorgen. He's a top lad and if he keeps working hard he could go far.

"Jorgen was one of six gold medal winners for England, which puts him among the country's elite boxers in his age group.

"That should help attract some funding when he leaves school."

Cetaj's Walcot coach Harry Scott believes his young south paw has the potential to compete at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Scott said: "Jorgen is very talented and he does have the ability to reach the Olympics.

"It's really up to him now to see how far he wants to go in the sport."