Wellingborough boxer Leighton Forbes is celebrating after becoming English National Development champion.

The 15-year-old made the short trip to the Kettering Sports & Leisure Village last weekend, winning his semi-final on Saturday before returning 24 hours later to clinch the top prize.

Forbes emerged as the winner to become the 2026 England Boxing National Development Champion at Junior U75kg.

He becomes only the second Wellingborough ABC fighter to land a national title in the club's 40-years-plus history, following in the footsteps of Loleta Spencer in 2019.

Saturday’s semi-final saw Forbes take on Jake Giblin of One Bomb ABC and he dominated, forcing two standing counts in the opening round and another in the second.

Sunday's final saw Forbes square up to Louie Douglas-Umargue of Larches & Savick ABC, and he delivered another impressive performance to secure a unanimous victory and the title.

Forbes had his first competitive bout in 2023 and entered this year’s National Development Championships with a record of seven wins and three defeats from 10 contests.

Those defeats came against top quality opposition though.

His first loss came against an opponent boxing on their own home show, the second was in just his fifth fight when he reached the semi-finals of the England Boxing Schools Championships.

He faced an undefeated boxer who was 12-0 at the time and has since gone on to become a European champion.

Forbes' third defeat came against the boxer who this year became the England Boxing Junior Open Class National Champion.

Forbes was unable to compete the Junior Open Class Championships due to illness, so he is delighted to have made his in the Development Championships.

The national title success is his latest achievement in an already successful 2026.

Forbes has previously won the Manchester Box Cup, where he defeated an opponent more than a year his senior, and he also won the Ed Bilbey Box Cup, recording a stoppage victory.

Proud Wellingborough ABC coach and committee member Charlie Gerrard said: "For a grassroots club like ours, producing another national champion is an enormous achievement and a proud moment for everyone involved.

"Leighton’s attitude towards training is exceptional. When he’s in the gym, he’s there to work. He’s dedicated, focused and willing to put in the hours needed to improve.

"There was a fantastic atmosphere at the championships, with coaches, family members and supporters coming along to cheer him on. Everyone was absolutely ecstatic when his hand was raised."

But there is no time for Forbes to relax and celebrate his national success - as he is back in the ring this weekend!

Forbes will travel to the Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury to complete in the finals of the 2026 WBC Counties Box Cup.

Gerrard continued: "It says a lot about his mentality that, despite becoming a national champion, Leighton's attention has already turned to the next challenge.

"We’re all incredibly proud of what he’s achieved, and hopefully this is just the beginning of an exciting boxing career."