The England Boxing National Amateur Championships culminated in a thrilling showcase of emerging talent on Saturday in Derby, where the country's most promising pugilists stepped onto the mat to prove their worth. Among the standout performances was that of Ruby White, a young boxer from Sturminster Newton, who captured her first senior national title by defeating Madi Gittens of Box Club in a decisive fly‑weight bout.
White, already a World Under‑19 champion and a four‑time European champion at the youth level, continued her remarkable winning streak, adding another triumph to an unbeaten record that now exceeds 60 fights. White's victory came via a unanimous decision, underscoring her dominance in the ring and her seamless transition from youth to senior competition—a leap that many consider a formidable challenge. "I’m over the moon," White told Sky Sports after the bout. "I think I proved a lot of people wrong being a first‑year senior and winning this tournament.
The jump from youth to senior is massive, but I showed everyone I belong on these big stages and hope to fight for Great Britain soon." She credited her success to an unrelenting work ethic, saying, "The secret to my success is that I want it more. I train harder than anybody.
My desire and willpower to be the best are stronger than anyone else's." The men's fly‑weight division also delivered drama, with Billy Macey securing his second national title after his opponent, Yusuf Uddin, was disqualified for shoving the referee. Macey remained composed throughout the controversy, emphasizing sportsmanship above all. "Win, lose or draw, you hold your head up high, keep your back straight and stay sportsman‑like.
There's no need for screaming or shouting," he said. He also reflected on the legacy of British boxing greats, noting, "I’m following in the footsteps of legends like Joe Calzaghe, who won it three times. It’s an absolute honour to win because this is the pinnacle of amateur boxing domestically." In the heavyweight ranks, De Hood’s Adekali Kargbo surprised the crowd by dethroning the reigning 90 kg champion Akinola Tijani with a 4‑1 split decision. Tijani, speaking to Sky Sports, explained his mindset: "Any time I hear I’m close to losing or anything happens, I dig deep, I show why I want it more." The super‑heavyweight bout, arguably the night’s most electrifying clash, saw Clinton Achusim from Longsight defeat Finchley's Anthony Ibekwe to claim the title.
Achusim expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I loved every single minute of it. This is what we train for.
I can adapt, I box well, I punch hard. This is just one of many victories to come." Repton’s Amo Singh earned the 65 kg crown by unanimously outscoring James Smith of Sandygate, while GB prospect Joe Turner triumphed in a high‑class 62.5 kg final, edging Halliwell’s Joe Peel by a 4‑1 split decision. Turner, confident about his future, remarked, "There was no one taking that belt away from me tonight. Fair play to my opponent as well, but this is what I’m made for—moments like this.
I know one day I’ll be a world champion as a pro, no doubt in my head, so until that day I’ll keep pushing forward." Beyond the national championships, Great Britain’s boxing squad is gearing up for the inaugural World Boxing Cup, currently underway in Brazil and set to conclude on April 26. The women's contingent includes Sacha Hickey (65 kg), Lauren Mackie (54 kg) and 2025 World Boxing Championship bronze medallist Chantelle Reid (70 kg). The men’s lineup features Ellis Trowbridge (55 kg), Will Hewitt (60 kg), Patris Mughalzai (65 kg), Paddy Hewitt (70 kg), Dimeji Shittu (80 kg) and Teagn Stott (90 kg). For Sheffield’s Teagn Stott, who captured a silver medal in the cruiserweight (85 kg) division at last year’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, this tournament represents a third foray into heavyweight competition.
He aims to solidify his position at the new weight class, building on his previous success at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament in Hungary. "It’s a great opportunity to test myself against top‑level international opponents and gain more experience on the big stage," Stott explained. "Each tournament is another step in my development, especially as I continue to grow into the heavyweight division. The goal is to keep improving with each bout, embrace every challenge, and hopefully position myself well for the Commonwealth Games and beyond." Overall, the national finals highlighted a new generation of British boxers ready to make their mark both at home and abroad.
With athletes like Ruby White demonstrating that age and experience are no barriers to success, and seasoned competitors such as Billy Macey and Teagn Stott continuing to chase greatness, the future of UK boxing looks brighter than ever. The blend of youthful ambition, disciplined training, and a commitment to sportsmanship promises exciting chapters ahead for the sport on the national and international stages.