A GARNOCK Valley boxer has stepped into senior boxing with ease - winning gold in his first tournament at that level.

Aaron Cullen, 18, put in the statement performance as he earned the top prize at the Socikas International Boxing Tournament in Lithuania at the beginning of this month.

The boxer, who is a member at the Renfrewhire boxing club, won the Bantamweight final against Poland’s Jakub Krzpiet with an impressive display in the ring in Kaunas.

Prior to his gold medal fight, Aaron had only experienced one senior bout - the day prior in his semi final match up which he won against former European Under-22 Bronze medallist Yelmir Nabiiev from Ukraine.

Though this did not phase the 18-year-old, who reached four international finals as a Youth boxer last year, as he showed the form that has won him an assessment to potentially join the GB Boxing Squad in Sheffield, with a composed performance from the teenager.

Making the victory even sweeter was how it saw Aaron come back from a heart breaking end to his youth career.

The Kilbirnie boy was denied a historic medal at the IBA World Youth Championship at the end of 2022.

He was awarded the quarter-final contest against India's Ashish Ashish from three of the five judges at ringside, but a Bout Review - a new procure from IBA that has just been brought in for this competition - overturned the result.

Though he has clearly bounced back in style, and undoubtedly has a bright future at a senior level ahead of him.

Aaron also wished to thank his sponsors Enlighten my Day Weddings and Events and R. Stalker and Son Butchers for supporting him on this journey.

Anyone else who may wish to support him on his journey can get in touch by emailing aaroncullen2015@icloud.com.