LIAM Joseph is just three rounds away from becoming the first Marlow boxer to win a national title for 26 years.
The 13-year-old reached the final of the National Golden Gloves competition and is now hoping to emulate the achievements of Bertie James who won the NABC title in 1982.
Jack Wilson, who has coached both boxers, said: "Liam has got the potential to do what Bernie did and do even better than him. He is certainly good enough to do it."
Joseph, of the Marlow Police and Community Boxing Club, booked his place in the March 8 final by beating Eltham's Jimmy Moloney at the York Hall, Bethnall Green on Saturday.
Joseph, who weakened his opponent with a series of left jabs to open him up, won the first two rounds and then when his opponent hit back in the final round, he stayed in control to take the points victory.
He must now wait until the outcome of the Northern semi-final is decided before he knows who he will be facing in the final of the U54kilo category at Nottingle
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