The England Boxing National Amateur Championships in Derby served as a showcase for the sport's emerging talent, with several young fighters stepping onto the senior stage and announcing themselves as future stars. Among the most compelling stories was that of Ruby White, a 19‑year‑old from Sturminster Newton, who captured the flyweight crown in a decisive victory over Madi Gittens of Box Club. White, already a World U19 champion and a four‑time European age‑group titleholder, continued her remarkable unbeaten streak, now standing at more than 60 fights without a loss.
In a bout that ended with a unanimous decision in White's favour, she demonstrated why she is considered one of the brightest prospects in British boxing. "I’m over the moon," White told Sky Sports after the fight. "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 showed everyone that I belong on these big stages. I hope to be representing Great Britain very soon." She added that her driving force is a simple but powerful mindset: "The secret to my success is that I want it more.
I train harder than anybody. My willpower to be the best is stronger than anyone else's." White's triumph was just one of many memorable moments on the night. In the men’s flyweight division, Billy Macey secured his second national title after his opponent, Yusuf Uddin, was disqualified for an unsportsmanlike shove at the referee. Macey remained composed, emphasizing the importance of 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 paid tribute to the legacy of British greats, noting that Joe Calzaghe had won the same title three times. "It’s an absolute honour to win it because it represents the pinnacle of amateur boxing in this country," Macey remarked.
The heavyweight division saw a surprise upset when Adekali Kargbo of De Hood defeated the defending 90 kg champion Akinola Tijani by a 4‑1 split decision. Tijani, reflecting on the loss, explained his mindset: "Whenever I hear I’m close to losing, I dig deeper.
I show why I want it more than anyone else." In what many considered the fight of the evening, Clinton Achusim from Longsight overcame Finchley's Anthony Ibekwe to claim the super‑heavyweight title. Achusim expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "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 take the 65 kg title, and GB prospect Joe Turner, who earned a 4‑1 split decision over Halliwell’s Joe Peel in the 62.5 kg final. Turner spoke confidently about his future, stating, "There was no one taking that belt away from me tonight. I know one day I’ll be a world champion as a professional, so until that day I’ll keep pushing forward." Beyond the national championships, Great Britain’s boxing squad is preparing for the inaugural World Boxing Cup, currently taking place in Brazil and running through 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 from 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 Championships in Liverpool, this tournament marks his third foray into the heavyweight class.
He aims to cement his status at the new weight after a strong performance at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament in Hungary, where he also took silver. "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 as I grow into the heavyweight division.
My goal is to keep improving with each bout, embrace every challenge, and position myself well for the Commonwealth Games and beyond." Overall, the Derby finals highlighted the depth of talent within British amateur boxing. Young athletes like Ruby White and Billy Macey are not only adding new chapters to their personal stories but also strengthening the pipeline that feeds the national team. Their dedication, combined with a clear focus on sportsmanship and continuous improvement, suggests a promising future for the sport both domestically and on the global stage.