KEIGHLEY’S Muhammad Ali overcame a sickness bug to earn boxing glory.

The 18-year-old battled through his illness to win gold in the European Youth Championships at Zagreb.

It completed a remarkable treble for the teenager this year, who has already claimed World Championship silver in Bulgaria and Youth Olympic bronze in China.

Ali, who is student at Bradford College, said: “I was up at 4am on the day of the final with sickness and I had a rough ride back on the plane on Sunday because of diarrhoea.”

The Bury Amateur Club member had to win four contests to take the title in the Croatian capital, defeating Mykyta Charuta (Ukraine) on a third-round technical knockout, Levan Khasaia (Russia) 3-0 and Sandor Tar (Hungary) on a second-round knockout before beating Bulgarian Daniel Asenov in the final of the 52kg division.

Ali said of Charuta: “He was a tricky switch-hitter but after the first round I got my range and timing and stopped him in the third.

“Levan was good and I lost the first round but won the second and third, while Sandor was not so difficult in the semi-finals.

“The final was my toughest bout, especially with being sick, but I dug in and won.”

Ali’s triumph led to a glowing tribute from Bradford boxing development officer Paul Porter.

He said: “We’re used to success at the Bradford Police & College Boxing Academy, but this was something really special, and sees Mo joining a very small band of British boxers who have won European amateur titles – a remarkable achievement for a dedicated student and athlete.”

Porter added: “Mo is a world-class boxer, and his incredible achievements over the past six months, culminating in winning gold in Zagreb, put him top in Europe and in the top two at his age and weight in the world.

“Finals day is always a tense time in any competition, but in this most elite of championships you could feel the crackle in the air.

“Mo is used to it though, and he went about his business very effectively against the tough Bulgarian Daniel Asenov, using his long reach to good effect following a tight first round, and coming through to win.”

It was a double celebration for the Keighley youngster as, while he was in Zagreb, he was also shortlisted for the SportsAid One-to-Watch award.

Ali, who is taking a foundation degree in sports coaching, is one of 1,300 athletes from across the United Kingdom to receive funding from SportsAid this year and is down to the final ten for the honour.

The winner will be announced at a gala dinner at Supernova on London’s Embankment Gardens on Thursday, November 27.

Ali, who uses SportsAid’s money to help him with travel and expenses, knew little about being nominated in the final ten, being so preoccupied in Croatia, but is looking forward to his trip to London next month.

Ali, a seven-time national champion, was also named SportsAid’s athlete of the month for September.

The shortlist was drawn up by judges from Sport England, UK Sport, the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, BBC Sport and SportsAid, and the panel was chaired by Olympian Sarah Winckless.

Skeet shooter Amber Hill won in 2013, and received the award from Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, the charity’s patron.

The other 2014 nominees are: Abigail Stones (taekwondo), Alison Patrick (paratriathlon), Chris Lawrie (rowing), Helen Houlsby (netball), Jack Stanley (rugby union), Maria Lyle (athletics), Morgan Lake (athletics), Rowan Coultas (snowboarding) and Thomas Hamer (paraswimming).

Previous winners include swimmer Tom Daley, gymnast Courtney Tulloch and sprinter Jodie Williams.

Meanwhile, Ali is also set to attend trials for the Great Britain boxing team in Sheffield later this year as he continues his build up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, while his target next year is a senior ABA title.