Pounding the tarmac paid off for Waltham Forest Boxing Club’s Joe Payne after he was crowned under-70kilos London North East junior champion.

The 14-year-old has been stepping up his fitness recently by pulling on his running trainers and it proved the difference in a close final against Lion Club’s Michael McDonagh on Thursday night.

With the championship being held at Waltham Forest’s E4 Fitness gym in Highams Park, Payne enjoyed some good support and he didn’t disappoint his fans with a disciplined performance.

Giving away a height advantage, the home fighter boxed well on the inside in a real toe-to-toe bout.

And following two close opening rounds, Payne really went to work in the final session to secure a majority decision from the judges.

Reflecting on events Waltham Forest secretary Ian Cuddy said: “I am absolutely delighted with Joe and it’s great to have another champion in our stable.

“He has been working really hard in the gym with coaches Ken Oram and Chris Baker and has also been out running regularly.

“And I think that was the difference on the night, as it was a really close bout and it could have gone either way. But I think Joe’s fitness paid off in the end, as he just edged the third round which got him the verdict.”

Payne has been handed a walk over in the London final and now progresses to the National Junior Cadet quarter finals in a couple of weeks’ time in Essex.