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 proved they belong on the big stage. Among the standout performances, 20‑year‑old Ruby White captured her first senior national title in the flyweight division, defeating Madi Gittens of Box Club by unanimous decision.
White, already a World U19 champion and a four‑time European age‑group winner, extended her impressive unbeaten streak to more than 60 bouts, signalling her readiness to transition from youth to senior competition. In a post‑fight interview with Sky Sports, White expressed sheer delight at her achievement, 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 level from youth to senior is a massive jump and I think I proved to everybody that I'm meant to be on these big stages and hopefully will be competing for GB very soon." She attributed her success to an unrelenting work ethic, explaining, "The secret to my success is that I want it more. I train harder than anybody.
My want and my willpower to be the best is better than anybody else's." The men's flyweight final also delivered drama, as Billy Macey claimed his second national crown after his opponent Yusuf Uddin was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, including shoving the referee. Macey, reflecting on the bout, emphasized the importance of composure, stating, "Win, lose or draw, you hold your head up high, you keep your back straight and you stay sportsman‑like. There's no need for the screaming, the shouting. I'm following in the footsteps of many great fighters that have gone and done it.
Joe Calzaghe won it three times. It's an absolute honour to win it because it is the pinnacle of amateur boxing domestically." In the heavyweight division, De Hood’s Adekali Kargbo upset the defending 90 kg champion Akinola Tijani with a 4‑1 split decision, showcasing his tactical acumen and resilience. Tijani, speaking candidly about his mindset, said, "Any time I hear I'm close to losing or anything happens, I dog it out, I show why I want it more," underscoring the mental toughness required at this level.
The super‑heavyweight bout, widely regarded as the night’s marquee match, saw Clinton Achusim of Longsight triumph over Finchley's Anthony Ibekwe. Achusim, thrilled by the victory, remarked, "I loved every single minute of it. This is what we train for. I know how to adapt, I can box really well, I punch really hard.
This is one of many and more to come." Other notable victories included Repton’s Amo Singh, who unanimously outscored James Smith of Sandygate to claim the 65 kg title, and GB prospect Joe Turner, who secured the 62.5 kg belt after a tight 4‑1 split decision over Halliwell’s Joe Peel. Turner, confident about his future, told Sky Sports, "There was no one taking that belt away from me tonight. Fair play to my opponent as well but it's what I'm made for, these sort of moments.
I know one day I'm going to be world champion as a pro, no doubt in my head, so until that day 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 features Sacha Hickey (65 kg), Lauren Mackie (54 kg) and Chantelle Reid (70 kg), the latter a 2025 World Boxing Championship bronze medallist. The men's lineup 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 captured a silver medal in the cruiserweight (85 kg) division at last year’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, the World Boxing Cup represents his third foray into the heavyweight ranks.
He aims to cement his status 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. "Every tournament like this is another step in my development, especially as I continue to grow into the heavyweight division.
The aim is to keep improving with each bout, take on each challenge that comes and hopefully that puts me in a good position for the future looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games and beyond." Overall, the national finals highlighted a new generation of British boxers who combine technical skill, fierce determination and a professional attitude. Their performances not only earned them medals but also signalled their potential to excel on the global stage, promising an exciting future for UK boxing.