Leeds students continue to prove they’re physically tough as well as intellectually agile as 30 competed on Leeds Student Fight Night held at the Aria suite in Woodhouse.
The event was organised by local boxing promoter Reggie Ejupi, who’s now keen to welcome the city’s professionals to the boxing ring.
Typical of those competing were Londoner Byron St Clair and Kent’s Jamie Burgess, both 19.
“We trained for six weeks at two Leeds gyms,” said Leeds Beckett graphic design student Jamie. “This was at Mike Tobin’s Armley gym and Craig Wood’s LS20 gym in Guiseley. We got to know West Leeds travelling about and the training was tough, but prepared us well.”
“It might be better to say we underwent the training,” said University of Leeds mathematics student Byron.
“It was intense but amazing as all of us were on great form, there was no bad blood whatsoever at any point just total respect.
“I’d done some kickboxing training a while back and loved it, so I was keen to do more combat sports at university so signed up when the Instagram advert came out. I signed up to prove to myself I wasn’t scared even though I was.
Jamie added: “I don’t really know why I signed up. I must have had too much to drink. I found out about it by word of mouth and thought that’s a cool thing to do. Which it was. My first experience of combat sports.”
The paradox of combat sports is that an inherently violent activity brings opponents together and forges firm friendships.
According to Byron: “the best thing about the boxing was making new friends. At university, students can be isolated within niche groups sharing similar interests. The boxing allows you to meet genuine people you respect.”
Jamie Burgess was more direct. “The best thing about it was sitting down with a pint afterwards.”
Meanwhile former Horsforth School student turned boxing promoter Reggie Ejupi is encouraging “young professionals in West Leeds to join university students by signing up for the glitz and glamour of our next fight night and proving just how tough, resilient and courageous they are at a fantastic black-tie event where you’re a boxing star for one night.”
Apply to be on the next fight night via Instagram @fightnightleeds. Make the next West Leeds Dispatch article be about your success in the boxing ring.
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