BARNARD Castle Amateur Boxing Club continues to go from strength to strength, celebrating a trio of wins at a three-day national event at Penrith.
Six young boxers from the club, which restarted training sessions at its Stainton Grove base in August following 18 months closure due to pandemic restrictions, competed in the MK Global Lonsdale Box Cup event, which was last held in 2019.
Coach Craig Harrison said: “As a boxing club, we don’t fit the usual demographics, but for a small market town we do alright to compete.
“Three of them were returning champions as they all won in 2019, the last time they held the Box Cup.”
George Peacock, from Barnard Castle, was in good form successfully defending his title. His win on Sunday means he retains the belt outright having now won it on three successive occasions.
The 16-year-old has also reached the finals of the National Junior Development Championships following outings at Bridlington and Manchester. He will be hoping to repeat his recent performance when he travels to Hereford at the end of the month to compete.
Dan Jackson, 18, from Staindrop, also successfully defended his title retaining his Lonsdale belt. His bout was stopped early in the third round due to a clash of heads, but with Dan ahead on points.
Paige Fielden, of West Auckland, also “dug deep” to get the win, becoming a MTK Box Cup champion. It is the 13-year-old’s second win in two months having also picked up the Tyne Tees and Wear Champion title in the schools’ championship earlier in the month.
Nathan Forrest and sisters Sinead and Brianna Fielden, also competed at the event, but were not successful.
Mr Harrison added: “Nathan didn’t get the win, losing out in a close bout, in what the referee said was the best he officiated all day. Brianna Fielden got into the final of her category, but lost out to her opponent.”
Before reopening, the club, which has around 30 active members, carried out improvements to their gym, replacing rubber matting with oak flooring.
Mr Harrison said: “We were able to get the flooring replaced thanks to some funding from the government, which has made a big difference as it’s a lot lighter in here for training.”
The club runs training sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, that cost £3 per session. Juniors train between 6pm and 7pm and seniors between 7pm and 8pm. Anyone interested in learning more about Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club or wants to learn how to box, can get in touch via their social media at www.facebook.com/Barnard-Castle- Amateur-Boxing-Club.
