Stockport golden boy, Michael Maughan is Britain’s newest boxing champion after winning a Youth Olympic Games title in Africa.
The 17-year-old punching prince defeated Kazakhstan rival and world number one Bibarys Ashirbay to land the Under 70kg gold medal in Dakar.
“I am so happy,” said Maughan, a member of the Stockport and Brinnington Boxing Club after his split decision success in the Senegalese capital.
“It means so much to me to win the gold,” added the 2025 European Under 17 champion who started the sport, aged five with his brother.
“I had to work so hard and credit to my opponent. But there was only going to be one winner.
“I’d like to thank my mum, dad and family back home, friends, my coach Eric and all the people in Stockport and Brinnington for supporting me.”
Maughan won his first three bouts on unanimous verdicts, defeating opponents from Ecuador, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates – all 5-0.
Ashirbay was a far tougher proposition but the new champion earned a split decision victory, impressing two of the three judges to become champion.
Coach Mick Maguire said: “Michael has come through some turbulent times across the last six months with some personal issues and the recent passing of his grandfather.
“But he has applied himself through it all and showed the resilience and focus of an Olympic champion which is what he now is.
“His dedication and commitment across the past 18 months has seen him rise through the England development team in 2025 to become European and now Olympic champion.
“Our thanks and congratulations go to his family and to his club coach, Eric Drayson who has pulled Michael through the difficulties.”
Maughan’s stunning success justified his selection as one of Team GB’s first athletes named for the Games.
And it could be the springboard to an even bigger sporting career for the four-time National champion.
Double Olympic taekwondo champion, Jade Jones, now a promising pro boxer, struck Youth Olympic gold at the inaugural Games in 2010.
Four years ago in Buenos Aires, Caroline Dubois, now WBO and WBC world boxing champion, stood on top of the podium.
The Youth Olympics is showcasing the talents of around 2,700 of the world’s best young athletes (aged between 14-18). It is the first time any official Olympic event has been held on the African continent.