by James Bovington
Boxers at Bramley Villagers used their recent home show at the West Leeds club to demonstrate skills they have learnt.
All were delighted to win their matches against opponents from Leeds and further afield and none more so than Noah Myers, 16, who achieved his first decision bout victory.
Noah said: “I’d had lots of skills or demonstration bouts. I lost my first win/lose fight last year against an older opponent.
“This time it was a different story as I made it clear just how hard I’ve trained and how much I’ve improved. I’ve proved I can win and it’s given me confidence to make further progress as a boxer. There’s nothing I’d like more than eventually to win a title in the sport I love.”
Theo Royle, 15, enjoyed his second skills match. He added: “Villagers is a proper family and I’ve learnt loads. I’m keen to do like Noah and win a decision fight and see how far I can get and make everyone proud for the effort put into me.”
Teammates Harvey Lee Potter, 14, and Harvey Spalding, 17, were happy to win their first fights. “I defeated Val Wheater by second round stoppage,” said the older Harvey. “Like Noah I’d lost my first decision bout. I’m proud to have won in style this time. It’s a great feeling knowing I can win in the ring. This is proof I’ve learnt loads at Villagers this past year.”
Eighteen-year-old Mark Judge Jr. from Birstall is already known as a skilful, courageous and highly athletic young boxer showing major potential. “I’ve now won five consecutive bouts including a junior title and I’ve stopped two opponents. I kept the pressure up throughout on Lewis Loftus who’s a very hard puncher. We’re now looking forward to a rematch.”
Also winning his second bout was Reuban Briggs, 17. Loud chants from his numerous supporters ensured this local lad was buoyed up throughout.
Kenny Lockwood, 33, won his debut fight. A utilities worker who travels to Villagers from east Leeds, Kenny won by putting relentless pressure on his opponent, Lancashire’s vastly experienced Arron Wales, who is known as a stalwart on the regional fight scene.
“Boxing is a new venture for me,” explained Kenny. “My uncle’s a former boxer turned coach and it’s him and his son my young cousin Harry Lockwood well known at Villagers who’ve inspired this new challenge.
“I’m a recovering alcoholic now sober a year. I had three months in rehab and changed my life around. I’ve done other sports especially cross country running and a marathon in Kendal. I enjoyed the physicality of the bout. It’s now onwards and upwards training hard and keeping fit to see how far I can get with boxing. The best of therapies.”
Bramley’s Ryan Taylor defeated Blackpool’s Max Nicholson in an intense, high octane four round battle. Nineteen-year-old Nicholson is making a name as a highly rated skilful and courageous young prospect.
“It was closely fought but I got the win. Max and I want a rematch soon.”
Prior to boxing Ryan, 34, was involved in MMA but had “lost confidence in participating. Joining Bramley Villagers turned out to be the best thing I ever did. I now hold two boxing belts and have won nine of my 17 bouts. We don’t do easy fights; everything’s well matched. Everyone here is welcoming. The coaches and fellow boxers at Villagers have completely rebuilt my confidence.”
Bramley’s Josh Stratford and his dad run a building business. Josh was wanting a new activity and now 15 months in the twenty-three-year-old father of a daughter aged 4 is proud to have won three of four bouts.
“I started boxing to have something just for me. I enjoyed it and realised I had some ability, so I began competing. I’ve learnt to stay calm and pick the best shots which meant I had my opponent Jordan Wheater down three times. I’m developing my boxing IQ with techniques learnt. Hopefully next year I’ll get better known on the local fight scene but most importantly I want boxing to stay fun.”
Armley’s Noah Richards tells a similar story. “I just want to box. To find out what I’m capable of. This was my debut bout and I defeated Connor Wales, Arron’s brother. It was a tough fight, and I won thanks to intense training at Villagers. I’d encourage others to give it a go.”
Both Jack Toye, 21, and Brandon Easton, 24, were disappointed when their opponents had first round shoulder issues resulting in the bouts being declared ‘no contests.’
Brandon got a knockout win after 80 seconds in his debut last October. “This time I was hoping for a longer fighting experience. I train as often as possible fitted around my work. Boxing is helping me be the best possible role model for my three young sons. I want to show them what’s possible and keep a clean record.”
Owen Gath, 21, has trained at Villagers “more of less since it opened” and is proud to have won the Villagers lightweight championship belt. “Training for the bout and then competing was an amazing experience. I was in the gym daily, sometimes twice. Now I’m Villagers champion. This means the world to me. Big thanks to our top coach DeeJay Titch.”
‘Titch’ is Richard Manning, 41, head coach at Villagers. “Owen is to be congratulated on his title belt win. The 300 or so attending also enjoyed seeing five of our youngest trainees open the show with a sparring display. We hope that Luis, Ronan, Freddie, Sebastian and Noah will eventually have their own bouts. They’re local children and our club is for local people. Our boxers rely on friends, neighbours and families to purchase tickets and in return they provide entertaining and exhilarating competition.”
“We want to thank the thirteen local companies who sponsor us.”
- New people wanting to train can contact Instagram @bramleyvillagersboxing_fitness.