An Ivybridge teenager could have a very different kind of school reunion to look forward to if he achieves his ultimate ambition.

Phoenix ‘The Odyssey’ Jenkinson, 18, is an Ivybridge Community College leaver whose boxing career has already taken him around the country and earned him titles at the national and international level.

And while plenty of 18-year-olds are still finding their feet in adult life, Phoenix has his sights firmly set on becoming a professional and, ultimately, a world champion.

“As soon as I go pro, I’m going for that world championship,” he said.

Phoenix has been boxing since he was six, after his father, who had also boxed, introduced him to the sport.

Phoenix Jenkinson training.
Phoenix Jenkinson training. (Phoenix Jenkinson)

The family moved to Devon six years ago, but his boxing roots remain linked to Sheffield, where his father took him to a renowned gym as a youngster.

There, Phoenix saw elite fighters training, including Gennady Golovkin - although he did not realise at the time he was watching a future world champion.

“Looking back now, he was a champion, and that’s who I want to be,” he said.

His father continues to travel with him to competitions, while Phoenix trains at Carl’s Boxing Stable in Plympton under club founder Carl Goldsborough.

He has recently progressed from the junior ranks into senior boxing, a step he sees as preparation for the professional career he wants.

“I'm fighting a lad that's 28 and 99 kg next week, so it’s going to be a learning curve as I build experience.

“It’s my dream to go pro, so I know I have to get used to it,” he said. “And that’s what I’m doing now. I’m just getting used to it.”

Already an international ABA champion and national champion in London, Phoenix has won three times at the NSC in Bristol and twice at Scotland’s William Wallace Box Cup.

Yet he talks about those achievements with an almost nonchalant calm.

“I just basically want to do the best I can,” he said. “Whatever it is, I want to do the best I can.”

He also says discipline has become central to achieving his ambitions, having gone from being a smaller youngster to competing at heavyweight.

“With what I want to be, which is world champion, you’ve got to have discipline to want that,” he said. “And that’s what I’m fully focused on.”

His next challenge is the Golden Gloves, with potential fights in Poland, France and the Caribbean also on the horizon.

Phoenix is sponsored by Lidstone Butchers in Kingsbridge and documents his journey on Instagram at @the_odyssey.uk.