EMERALDS ABC’s Johnny ‘Be Good’ Ward is hoping to lead the way as his club’s shining light after sensationally becoming a national champion.

The 14-year-old, from Christian Malford, sealed his place as the best 60kg male junior cadet in the country after victory at the England Boxing Junior and Junior Cadet Championship finals at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield late last month.

After beating hot favourite Shawn Michael Vary, the North East Counties champion, in the semi-finals, Ward cruised past Hartlepool ABC’s Bobby Carter in the 60kg final and he now has his sights set on emulating some of the famous faces in his family.

Current WBO middleweight champion of the world Andy Lee is related to the Emerald youngster, along with former IBF world bantamweight title-challenger Martin Ward.

“Andy Lee is my mum’s first cousin and he’s a world champion, and Martin Ward is my dad’s nephew, and he’s fought for a world title – I’ve trained with them both before,” said Ward.

“I always thought that I’d win a national title sooner or later but it’s still hard to believe, really.

“I want to go all the way and turn pro. Maybe when I’m 16 or 17 – I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Ward’s national victory is a first major milestone for the Chippenham-based Emeralds club, which only opened its doors in 2012.

Head coach Liam Lathbury was thrilled to see one of his charges claim a national title and is already plotting a path for Ward’s career.

“Johnny just ticked every box and once you get one champion, it inspires all the other kids to want to be like him,” said the Emeralds chief.

“We’ve only been open two-and-a-half years and most clubs have to wait 15 or 20 years to get someone to a national final, let alone have someone win one.

“The finals were at England Boxing’s headquarters and the England coaches said that they were going to monitor his progress.

“I want to keep him going and that’s why I’ve put him in for the Pirkka Cup – it’s a tournament in Finland where boxers from different countries go and we fly out on May 18.

“Johnny’s a talent. The long plan is to go pro.”