The England Boxing National Amateur Championships in Derby served as a showcase for the sport's emerging talent, with a series of thrilling bouts that highlighted both seasoned veterans and rising prospects. Among the standout performances was that of Ruby White, a young fighter from Sturminster Newton who captured her first senior national title in the flyweight division by defeating Madi Gittens of Box Club. White entered the ring with an impressive résumé: she is a former World U19 champion and a four‑time European champion at the age‑group level, and she has maintained an unbeaten streak that now exceeds sixty contests. Her unanimous decision win over Gittens not only added a senior title to her growing list of accolades but also signaled her readiness to transition from youth to senior competition, a leap that many observers had questioned.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the bout, White described her emotions as "over the moon" and emphasized that she had silenced critics who doubted a first‑year senior could claim such a prize. "The jump from youth to senior is massive," she explained, "but I proved that I belong on these big stages and hope to earn a place on the Great Britain team soon." She attributed her success to an unrelenting desire to win, noting, "I train harder than anyone.
My willpower and hunger 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 shoving the referee. Macey, reflecting on his victory, stressed the importance of sportsmanship regardless of the result. "Win, lose or draw, you keep your head up, stay upright and act like a true sportsman," he said.
He also paid tribute to the legacy of British boxing greats, mentioning Joe Calzaghe's three‑time national triumphs as an inspiration. "Winning this title is an honour because it represents the pinnacle of amateur boxing in the country," Macey added.
In the heavyweight ranks, Adekali Kargbo of De Hood made a statement by edging out the defending 90 kg champion Akinola Tijani with a 4‑1 split decision. Tijani, when asked about his performance, spoke about his determination: "Whenever I hear I'm close to losing, I dig deeper and show why I want it more." This mindset was echoed throughout the tournament, as fighters repeatedly cited their inner drive as the key to success. One of the night’s most compelling contests featured Clinton Achusim from Longsight, who overcame Finchley's Anthony Ibekwe to claim the super‑heavyweight title. Achusim expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I loved every minute of it.
This is what we train for. I can adapt, box well, and punch hard.
This is just the first of many victories to come." His confidence underscored the depth of talent present at the championships. Other notable winners included Amo Singh of Repton, who won the 65 kg title with a unanimous decision over James Smith of Sandygate, and GB hopeful Joe Turner, who secured the 62.5 kg championship by beating Halliwell's Joe Peel in a 4‑1 split decision. Turner, reflecting on his triumph, declared, "No one can take this belt from me tonight. I respect my opponent, but moments like this are what I'm made for.
I see myself as a future world champion in the professional ranks, and until that day arrives I will keep pushing forward." Beyond the national stage, Great Britain is preparing a strong contingent for the inaugural World Boxing Cup taking place in Brazil. The women's squad features Sacha Hickey (65 kg), Lauren Mackie (54 kg) and Chantelle Reid (70 kg), the latter a bronze medallist from the 2025 World Boxing Championships. The men's team comprises 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).
Stott, who earned a silver medal in the cruiserweight (85 kg) division at last year’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, will be making his third appearance at heavyweight, aiming to solidify his place in the new weight class after a strong showing at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament in Hungary. Stott explained his goals: "Competing against top‑level international opponents is a great chance to test myself and gain experience on a big stage.
Each tournament is a step in my development, especially as I grow into the heavyweight division. My aim is to keep improving with each bout, embrace every challenge, and position myself well for future events like the Commonwealth Games and beyond." The upcoming World Boxing Cup will therefore serve as both a proving ground and a developmental platform for these athletes, many of whom have already demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure at national level. Overall, the England Boxing National Amateur Championships highlighted a new generation of fighters who combine technical skill with a fierce competitive spirit.
From Ruby White's historic senior debut to Billy Macey's disciplined approach and the promising prospects heading to Brazil, the event underscored the depth of British boxing talent and set the stage for future international success.