KNOCKOUT FUNDING: TOP LONDON BOXING TALENT RECEIVE SUPPORT

On Thursday 15 June 2023, 10 of the UK’s most prominent, London-based amateur boxers were rewarded with the coveted Powerday Foundation Boxing Bursary during a ceremony at the Powerday Hooks boxing gym in west London.

The 2023 bursary recipients

This year’s ten recipients – selected from a record 30 applications – hail from clubs across the capital. They were presented with their bursaries by former World Bantamweight champion Shannon Courtney, Olympic champion and former World Middleweight champion James DeGale and the Mayor of Ealing, Hitesh Tailor.

Mayor of Ealing, Hitesh Tailor with the 10 bursary winners

The annual Powerday Boxing Bursary will provide invaluable funding that enables the elite young boxers to continue their training, purchase the best quality kit and travel to the most important national and international championships.

The 10 recipients of the 2023 Powerday Boxing Bursary are:

Helping young boxers achieve their dreams

Launched in 2015, to support ambitious amateur boxers, the Powerday Boxing Bursary – funded by London’s leading waste management and recycling business Powerday – has helped more than 50 youngsters achieve their potential at regional, national and international level, including Olympic Bronze medallist Caroline Dubois.

Among last year’s recipients was 18-year old Damar Thomas, who trains at the Powerday Hooks. Since receiving his bursary, Damar has secured his place as one of the brightest prospects in world amateur boxing – becoming the youngest ever ABA Heavyweight champion and representing GB Boxing across the world.

Edward Crossan, CEO of Powerday, commented:

“Congratulations to our latest bursary recipients. We are committed to supporting our local communities and having a positive impact on people’s lives. Each year we are proud to recognise and support the next generation of London boxing talent. We hope that the support the bursary provides each of the 10 boxers will help them maximise their potential and lead them on to great things in and out of the ring.”

Lenny Hagland, Chairman, London Boxing welcomed the awards:

“Each year, Powerday’s support provides essential funding to help elite-level athletes fulfil their potential and achieve international success. We thank the company for its ongoing support and commitment to our young athletes, which is invaluable.”

Powerday has been working with London Boxing since 2011 as part of its programme to create a legacy to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Since then, the company has supported more than 70 clubs and attracted £14m-plus in investment into the sport, facilities and communities across London, whilst also offering access to the social, health and mental wellbeing opportunities that sport offers to all ages, genders and abilities. 

Biographies of the 10 bursary recipients:

Preston Samba: Powerday Hooks Boxing Club

Preston is a very dedicated young man of great potential, who has worked so hard at the club to improve his skills to now be placed on the England Performance pathway, he never misses training never failing to attend and commit to the coaches directions and mentoring- whilst also helping others as a mentor in the gym and club.

Preston won the London Championships defeating a Two Time National champion and progressed through the following rounds to ultimately win the English Development and Youth Titles  

Coach: Steve Newland

Charles Brown: Repton Boxing Club

Charlie is a young man of exceptional potential and proven development and his profile includes continued high level performances winning all National Youth and Cadet championships

His future aspirations are to represent England and GB as he is a member of the England Performance Pathway.

Charlie is a key member of the Repton Club and is a fine role model for other young people always setting the highest standards of commitment and dedication.

Coach: Steve Walters

Archie Coates: Rainham Boxing Club

Archie has achieved a great deal in his early career showing a real zest for the sport and is continuing the initial talent -club coaches identified at an early age, he became the National Cadet and National two times Schools Champion and this coming season and year seeks to add numerous other national Juinior honour’s to his performance profile during 2023 and beyond- seeking England Performance pathway recognition.

He is dedicated young man whom the club and coach feel can deliver even greater success in the future.

Coach: Kelvin Wing

Humza Malik: Repton Boxing CLub

Humza’s skill set and ability and his ability has seen him move onto become the National Schools and Junior champion  andBarum Cup has now become a member of the England Performance Pathway and is identified potentially for the GB Performance pathway. His commitment and attitude is praised by -all who come into contact with him and he has a very bright future.

Coach: Chris Medina

George Ralph: Rainham Boxing Club

George is a key member of the Rainham club and his input into the sport has been praised by his coaches, understanding the need for commitment and dedication he is a real credit to his family and club, who are proud to have him as an iconic member, always assisting others and the clubs aspirations.

George is a dual National Schools Champion and also Won a Silver Medal at the European Championships in 2023. He is firmly now on the performance pathway and will potentially move onto further International success.

Coach: Kelvin Wing

George Francis: Repton Boxing Club

George as a 3 time National champion winning Schools, Cadet and Junior Championships- and also winning the Tri Nations England, Wales and Scotland for England he has developed tremendously this year and then winning a Bronze medal at the European Championships in Turkey. He always strives to be the very best and is completely dedicated to the sport and hopes for more international success.

Coach: Paul Gibson

Musa Sheikh: Dagenham Police Boxing Club

Musa is an inspirational figure within the Dagenham Police cluband is always helping out with younger boxers and participants and enjoys school with a desire to achieve A Levels and University. In the sport he has won 3 National Titles at Schools and Cadet age groups, this testament to a  very bright and successful future. His aspirations are to represent England and GB in the long term, with continued progress this can clearly be achieved.

Coach: Adil

Freddie Wilkens: Repton Boxing Club

Freddie joined the famous Repton boxing club a few years agoand has been 100% committed to all that he has achieved in a short space of time, having won the National Development and Youth titles in the last season and has also recently gained a place on the England  Boxing Talent pathway, which will ensure he improves even further. He harnesses a desire to reach the top and is a committed young athlete, seeking a place on future Olympic GB Teams.

Coach: Steve Walters

Billy Macey: Dagenham Police  Boxing Club

Billy turned up at the Dagenham Police club and immediately caught the attention of Steve and Danny O’Sullivan. Not only did his prowess and special skills become obvious but his willingnessto learn. He soon became a National Development and Youth Champion, but has also won further gold medals at box Cup events.  He is now targeting building upon his England Talent Pathway position, through his Diploma and Sporting Excellence and moreover was recently voted the LB of Havering Young Sports Personality- he seeks potential Olympic representation through GB Boxing in the future.  

Coach:  Steve Francis

Jamie Barrett: Powerday Hooks Boxing Club

Jamie is a dedicated and key member of the Powerday Hooks Boxing Club, having come through their nursery sessions and following his Father and Uncles in representing the club- he has carried on the family trait for excellence in the sport. Jamie alone this year has increased his personal national title record to 5 titles winning the Junior Championships this year and also defeating a European Champion in achieving this result.

He has also won the recent Junior Tri nations event a few weeks ago and hopes to build on these outcomes achieved he is potentially destined for the very top of the sport, steered by his Coach Steve Newland through the high performance pathway towards Olympic success.

Coach: Steve Newland