SOUTHAMPTON'S Golden Ring boxing club can proudly claim to be the best in the country - after securing its third British champion this year.

And today the Freemantle-based club is standing on the brink of a unique Olympic boxing double when 16-year-old Danny Kent begins his quest for gold at the junior games in Texas.

He will be trying to repeat the feat of teammate Tony Hill, who two years ago followed in the footsteps of Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya by striking gold.

The Olympic exploits of light-heavyweight Kent are crowning a year of incredible achievement for Golden Ring.

In recent months Kent and Iain Weaver have lifted British titles in their respective age groups and last week they were joined by 18-year-old Hill, who successfully defended his middleweight crown.

It made Golden Ring the only club in the country to boast three junior British champions.

Head coach Stuart Gill said: "The lads have done brilliant. It's unreal what they have done, really.

"Danny has matured greatly in the past year. The added weight has gone on in height, not fat and he is really performing at the moment.

"Technically he is very good and he is very tough. We all know what Tony Hill can do and he will now move into the seniors, which will mean we can get him more fights.

"I've always said Tony has the ability to go as far as he wants in boxing. But I'm especially delighted for Iain Weaver. He was up against extremely experienced boys and did amazingly well."

Lordshill's Hill boxed Ireland's Brian Fitzpatrick in his British title final, winning 12-4 on points.

Although Hill's superior power gave him the upper hand throughout, it was a somewhat scrappy fight, with Fitzpatrick largely just trying to survive.

Gill added: "Tony rocked him a few times and the Irish lad was just grabbing hold of him every time he got near."