by James Bovington
Four Thai boxers from West Leeds who train at Bramley’s Bad Company gym won medals at the WBC international championships held in Verona, Italy as part of Team England.
The English team – led by coaches Lisa Houghton-Smith and husband Richard – came first in the medal table of over 70 countries represented by 900 athletes.
“Everyone’s overjoyed,” said Richard Smith. “Team England smashed it with 54 fighters winning 86 of 113 bouts and coming away with 44 medals including 24 gold.
“Fergus Smith won gold and brothers Cade and Logan Smith won a silver and bronze respectively while Cole Chapman secured a bronze in what was his first international tournament.
“Three other fighters from Bad Company also distinguished themselves and we’re proud of all seven for shining in a tournament with an increasingly impressive standard of performance.”
“It was an amazing experience,” said Cole, who turns 13 shortly.
He lives just “a short walk from Bad Company where you’ll find him training most evenings,” said dad Nick.
“I enjoyed accompanying Cole and watching him learn to cope in a different, fast-paced environment.
“He wasn’t fazed by it, got on with what he had to do with his bouts being one of up to six taking place in adjacent rings simultaneously.”
Cole added: “I had to build up to and maintain my new 36kg fight weight but every competitor had to make sure they were at the correct weight, so we all got on with it and got on with each other and coped with the heat.”
Logan and Cade Smith attended this tournament in Venice in 2024. “Preparation for Verona this year had to be juggled with GCSEs,” said Logan who has now left Crawshaw Academy and starts a business administration course at a Leeds college in September.
“It seemed more packed this year with a massive pool of fighters all with different styles. We had to adapt quickly when boxing. We both feel that we’ve improved.”
Younger brother Cade agreed. “It was a harder, busier tournament and the heat was exhausting.”
Fergus Smith is already a champion with Hitman, the Thai boxing league set up by Leeds professional Thai boxer Liam Harrison.
Competing in Italy as an adult, the 18-year-old was pleased to ‘win my three bouts against a French, a Ukrainian and in the final an Australian fighter all older than me. I employed a different tactic each time and like all fighters I adapted to the varying styles of an international talent pool. It prepared me well for competing in Thailand on the ONE championship in September.’
Nick Chapman is ‘keen on behalf of all the parents to thank Richard and Lisa for their outstanding commitment. They’re world class coaches and we’re proud to have this gym here in Bramley. Cole looks up to the older fighters like Fergus and Joe Craven who’s his hero.’
Young Chapman already has several sponsors and appreciates the generosity of Resource Traffic Management, BME Recruitment, BWS Skips and A+L Roofing (Cross Gates).
Anyone wanting to sponsor Bad Company or individual fighters should call 07885 270267, find Bad Company on social media or e-mail rmsbadco@gmail.com.
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