The England Boxing National Amateur Championships in Derby served as a showcase for the sport's emerging talent, with a series of compelling bouts that highlighted both seasoned competitors and newcomers making their mark on the senior stage. Among the standout performances was that of Ruby White, a 19‑year‑old boxer from Sturminster Newton, who captured her first senior national title in the flyweight division by outpointing Madi Gittens of Box Club.
White, already a World U19 champion and a four‑time European champion at the junior level, continued her impressive trajectory with a unanimous decision win that extended her unbeaten streak to more than 60 fights. In a post‑fight interview with Sky Sports, White expressed her excitement, saying, "I'm over the moon.
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, and I think I showed everyone that I belong on these big stages and hope to represent Great Britain soon." She attributed her success to a relentless work ethic, noting, "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 flyweight division also produced drama, with Billy Macey securing his second national crown after his opponent, Yusuf Uddin, was disqualified for an altercation with the referee.
Macey, reflecting on the experience, emphasized the importance of sportsmanship: "Win, lose or draw, you hold your head up high, keep your back straight and stay respectful. There's no need for screaming or shouting. I'm following in the footsteps of great fighters like Joe Calzaghe, who won this title three times. Winning it is an absolute honour because it represents the pinnacle of amateur boxing in the country." In the heavyweight ranks, Adekali Kargbo of De Hood made an impression by dethroning the reigning 90 kg champion Akinola Tijani with a 4‑1 split decision.
Tijani, when asked about the close contest, explained, "Whenever I hear I'm close to losing, I dig deep and show why I want it more." His comment underscored the mental toughness required at this level. The super‑heavyweight bout, widely regarded as the night’s marquee match, saw Clinton Achusim from Longsight defeat Finchley's Anthony Ibekwe. Achusim praised the fight, stating, "I loved every single minute of it. This is what we train for.
I can adapt, box well and punch hard. This is just one of many victories to come." Other notable champions emerged across the weight classes.
Amo Singh of Repton clinched the 65 kg title with a unanimous decision over James Smith of Sandygate, while GB prospect Joe Turner secured the 62.5 kg belt after a 4‑1 split decision win against Halliwell's Joe Peel. Turner, speaking after his victory, said, "There was no one taking that belt away from me tonight. I respect my opponent, but moments like this are what I was born for.
I’m certain I’ll become a world champion as a professional, so until that day arrives I’ll keep pushing forward." Beyond the national championships, Great Britain’s boxing squad is preparing for the inaugural World Boxing Cup, currently underway in Brazil and set to conclude on April 26. The women’s team features Sacha Hickey (65 kg), Lauren Mackie (54 kg) and Chantelle Reid (70 kg), the latter a bronze medallist at the 2025 World Boxing Championships. The men’s contingent includes 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 earned a silver medal in the cruiserweight (85 kg) division at last year’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, the tournament represents a third foray into the heavyweight category. He aims to cement his place at the new weight class, building on his previous silver 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.
My goal is to improve with every bout, embrace each challenge, and position myself well for future events like the Commonwealth Games and beyond." Overall, the Derby finals highlighted the depth of talent within British amateur boxing, with young athletes like Ruby White demonstrating that dedication, mental resilience, and a hunger to succeed can translate into rapid progression from junior to senior ranks. The event not only crowned national champions but also set the stage for upcoming international competitions, where these fighters will represent Great Britain and aim to make an impact on the global stage.