It's the start of the title trail for Oxfordshire’s boxers as both the ABAE Elite and Royal Navy-sponsored Junior ABA Championships get under way at the Regal in Cowley tomorrow afternoon.
The Home Counties rounds of both competitions have attracted a large entry, with 13 weight divisions across senior and junior categories.
The host Oxford Boxing Academy have three contenders spanning the three age groups in the junior championships.
Lightweight Bradley Townsend, from Leafield, boxes in Class 4 (born 1995), light welterweight George Stevens, from Bladon, contests Class 5 (born 1994) and Bicester welterweight Ben Kaluza competes over four two-minute rounds in Class 6 (born 1993).
Class 4 and 5 boxers compete over three two-minute rounds.
Berinsfield have entered Liam Joseph in the Class 4 featherweight category.
Blackbird Leys are represented by the Hill brothers – Leslie contests the Class 6 lightweight division and Jack, 21, is the lone local entry in the Elite championships where he boxes over the Olympic distance of three three-minute rounds in the light middleweight category.
Divisional secretary Colin Goodenough said: “This year’s championships have added significance with the London Olympics only 12 months away.
“It could provide the chance to see a future medal winner in action on Sunday.”
More than 30 gyms from across the Home Counties have boxers displaying their skills.
Admission is £10 and the bell rings for the first of the scheduled 25 bouts at 1pm.
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