ONE first under his belt, chip off the boxing block Oscar Wharton is targeting a five-ringed first.

The teenage son of York’s most successful professional boxer, Henry Wharton, wants to become the first fighter from the city to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games.

So for the 15-year-old, who has just won his debut duel in the ring by a unanimous points verdict capped by two standing-counts for his opponent, the prized fight is tackling the world’s best amateurs clad in the red, white and blue vest of Team GB in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.

And Wharton junior’s ambition is not solely based on the exceptional exploits of his dad, whose distinguished career included an unbeaten reign as European, Commonwealth and British super-middleweight champion, as well as three shots at the world crown – his only three defeats as a pro.

The middle one of three sons of Henry and wife Amanda, the fledgling fighter told The Press how even when he was young his aim was always to don gloves as soon as he was old enough.

“All I can remember is that I wanted to be a boxer and not only because of my dad,” said the Tadcaster Grammar School pupil.

“I have always been interested in boxing and I was always watching it on the TV whenever I could.

“Though I know about what my dad did, he never forced me in to being a boxer.”

It was when Wharton senior realised that his son was determined to clamber through the ropes that he seriously set the teenager on training at his newly-opened Henry’s Gym in Acomb’s York Road, above the old Regent Cinema, just three months ago.

That increased and intensive training culminated in his debut at Nottingham, which was also the first fight for any of the club members.

And as he awaited the opening bell to sound on what he hopes will be a long and successful career in the amateur and paid ranks, the teenager, who trains seven days a week, said: “I was nervous but nowhere near as nervous as I thought I would be.

“My opponent was a really good fighter and so it was great to win in his backyard.

“Thankfully, I had a lot of family and lads from the club supporting me and that helped me along.

“When I was told I had won, it was such a brilliant feeling and it was great being the first winner for the club. All the lads in the gym have been brilliant about it.

“It’s a great buzz and now I want to fight for my country in the next Olympic Games in Rio.”

The sweet taste of victory has convinced him that boxing is his future, even though he has been made acutely aware by his dad that there’s a long way to go and there could be setbacks.

And Wharton senior? He declared: “Oscar’s got talent – I’d say more than I was showing at the same age.

“He boxed ever so well in his first fight, but it’s not easy. To get where he wants to get there’s an awful lot of work to be put in.”