The England Boxing National Amateur Championships concluded with a showcase of emerging talent, as the country's future stars stepped into the spotlight in Derby. Among the standout performances was Ruby White, who captured her first senior national title in the flyweight division by defeating Madi Gittens of Box Club. White, already a World U19 champion and a four‑time European champion at the junior level, continued her remarkable streak, remaining unbeaten in more than 60 bouts. White's unanimous decision over Gittens was a clear statement of intent.
"I’m over the moon," she told Sky Sports after the bout. "I think I proved a lot of people wrong by being a first‑year senior and winning this tournament. The jump from youth to senior is massive, and I’ve shown that I belong on these big stages.
I hope to be representing Great Britain soon." She credited her relentless work ethic for the victory, adding, "The secret to my success is that I want it more. I train harder than anyone. My desire and willpower to be the best outshine everyone else’s." The men’s flyweight final also produced drama. Billy Macey secured his second national crown after his opponent, Yusuf Uddin, was disqualified for shoving the referee.
Macey remained composed, emphasizing sportsmanship regardless of the outcome. "Win, lose or draw, you keep your head up, stay upright, and behave like a true sportsman," he said. He also reflected on the legacy of past champions, noting, "I’m following in the footsteps of great fighters like Joe Calzaghe, who won it three times.
Winning this is an absolute honour because it represents the pinnacle of amateur boxing in the country." In the heavyweight division, Adekali Kargbo of De Hood made a statement by dethroning the reigning 90kg champion Akinola Tijani with a 4‑1 split decision. Tijani, when asked about his defeat, explained his mindset: "Whenever I hear I might lose, I dig deeper, I fight harder, and I show why I want it more." The super‑heavyweight bout, arguably the night’s most thrilling contest, saw Clinton Achusim from Longsight overcome Finchley's Anthony Ibekwe.
Achusim described the fight as a realization of his training goals: "I loved every single minute of it. This is what we train for.
I can adapt, I box well, and I punch hard. This is just the first of many victories to come." Other notable winners included Amo Singh of Repton, who unanimously outscored James Smith of Sandygate to claim the 65kg title, and GB hopeful Joe Turner, who triumphed in a high‑quality 62.5kg final against Halliwell’s Joe Peel with a 4‑1 split decision. Turner expressed confidence in his future: "No one could take this belt from me tonight.
Respect to my opponent, but this is what I’m made for. I know one day I’ll be a world champion as a professional, and until then I’ll keep pushing forward." Beyond the national championships, Great Britain’s boxing squad is gearing up for the inaugural World Boxing Cup in Brazil, which runs until April 26.
The women’s team features Sacha Hickey (65kg), Lauren Mackie (54kg) and 2025 World Boxing Championship bronze medallist Chantelle Reid (70kg). The men’s contingent includes Ellis Trowbridge (55kg), Will Hewitt (60kg), Patris Mughalzai (65kg), Paddy Hewitt (70kg), Dimeji Shittu (80kg) and Teagn Stott (90kg).
For Sheffield’s Teagn Stott, the tournament offers a chance to cement his place in the heavyweight division after earning a silver medal at the cruiserweight (85kg) level at last year’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool. Stott, who also secured silver at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament in Hungary, sees the competition as a vital step in his development. "It’s a great opportunity to test myself against top‑level international opponents and gain more experience on the big stage," he said.
"Each tournament is another step in my growth, especially as I continue to move up to heavyweight. My aim is to keep improving with each bout, embrace every challenge, and position myself well for the Commonwealth Games and beyond." Overall, the England Boxing National Amateur Championships highlighted the depth of talent across the nation, with young athletes like Ruby White proving they can transition seamlessly from junior success to senior dominance. Their performances not only earned them national titles but also set the stage for future international representation, underscoring a bright future for British boxing.