Kentish Town welterweight Kian Thomas is aiming to box at the 2014 Commonwealth Games after marking his comeback year with a national title.

Thomas, who returned to St Pancras ABC in January after a two-year absence, defeated Liam Kelly (North Benwell) in the final of the senior ABA novice championships on Saturday.

Now the 22-year-old fitness instructor is hoping his success will pave the way for him to represent Jamaica, his father’s homeland, at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“To be a national champion for St Pancras is a great feeling for me and it gives me confidence that I can keep going on to better things,” Thomas told the Gazette.

“My dad Colin is my number one fan, he goes everywhere to watch me box, and if it’s possible I’d really love the chance to represent Jamaica in the Commonwealth Games.

“My coach said to me that being successful in a national championship would help my chances of going to the Games and I’d do anything to make that happen.”

Thomas reached the North West London division novices final three at the age of 18, but then gave up boxing before returning to St Pancras at their new Talacre Gardens base earlier this year.

He won a gold medal at the prestigious Haringey Box Cup in June and then battled through to reach the Class B Under-67kg novices semi-finals, where he stopped favourite Louis Green (Strood) in the second round.

A majority win on points in Saturday’s final at Lincoln sealed the title for Thomas, who admitted that the achievements of some of his former club-mates had helped persuade him to resume boxing at the start of the year.

“I wanted a little bit of a break, but then seeing people like Alan Higgins – who turned pro – Charlie Worley and Johnny Archer, tempted me to come back and I’m glad I did,” added Thomas.

“I definitely believed I could win the title – it’s something I really wanted to do to prove that I’m good enough. I’ve always been aiming for the top and it’s all about progressing towards eventually turning pro.”

St Pancras trainer CJ Hussein added: “Kian had been enjoying life and when St Pancras reopened, he walked back into the gym at nearly 80kg.

“But he’s shown that if you work hard and dedicate yourself to boxing, you can achieve what you want.

“He had no byes in the championship – he boxed in every round and he really earned that title.”