Annual celebration for Bideford ABC

Bideford Amateur Boxing Club has held their annual presentation to celebrate a great season, writes Richard Grigg.

This season, we have competed in 125 bouts all over the country, we have had national finalist and box cup champions. We have held four shows this year, which have all proven successful. We took the boxers on a trip to Belfast to compete against an Irish team with our friends Port Talbot Bulldogs. The club continues to grow with all the groups busy welcoming people of all ages and abilities. 

On the professional side, the club is getting stronger, Conor Mcintosh a Welsh Champion, Aaron Bird a Celtic Light heavyweight Champion and Billy Stanbury nine fights undefeated and closing in on the Southern Area Title. 

Sadly, this year we lost Jeff Facey, who has done so much for the club over the years and has got us to where we are today. These are huge shoes to fill, but we are very grateful for Kathy Murdoch stepping in as club development officer, who is doing a fantastic job carrying on his work. To remember Jeff Facey’s work we have bought in another trophy in his honour, “best prospect of the year”, the Jeff Facey shield. 

We need to say a big thanks to everyone that has played a part behind the scenes throughout the season. We have a great team of coaches, committee members, officials, volunteers, sponsors etc and the support of our local community. Without all these, none of this success would be possible. 

Best Prospect - Riley Chappell

In his first season, he has had eight fights, winning five. He has stopped three opponents out of his five wins, progressed well through the season and is showing great promise for the future. 

Best bout - Bideford v Port Tabot - Tucker Mills v Alexander Jones 

They had three fantastic contests against each other, and all three ended in split decisions. Both boxers progressed each bout through the season and picked up three wins against other opponents along the way. This is the true meaning of sportsmanship, going toe-to-toe in the ring and coming out of it as friends after.

Durrant Belt - Jacob Stevenson

Jacob won a unanimous points decision, dominating all three rounds. His opponent was twice his experience and 10 years older. He’s been at the club since eight years-old and has now represented the club 50 times, a great achievement. 

Juniors 

Most dedicated - Coby Allcorn 

Coby has been in the club for three years, training hard to reach the level for a bout. He has had five bouts this season, winning four, and put in a top performance in Belfast. 

Most Improved - Rocky Grigg 

Rocky has had six fights this season, winning all six. He is the first to arrive at the gym each night and last to leave, training hard throughout the season. When he is not training himself, he helps train with the children from other groups, proving a great role model.

Most achieved Junior - Marley Barnes 

Marley won five of six fights and won gold at the Bristol Box Cup. He has shown improvement in his bouts all season.

Junior captain - Pete Fitzgerald 

Pete has competed in 10 bouts this season. Every time he is offered a bout, he is available and gives his all every time. When he first joined the club, he struggled with discipline, he now keeps his head down and works hard and is improving because of this. 

Seniors 

Most Dedicated - Jed Avery

Jed turns up to training every night and wants to learn and improve. Every time he boxes, he leaves everything he has got in the ring, always showing great work-rate. When not at training, he can be seen running round South Molton, getting extra training in or singing to a crowd. 

Most Achieved - Alex Dovell 

Alex won the Western Counties Belt and Defended it this season. He passed his coaching qualification and is balancing life, finding time to run his own business, coach and box at a high level. 

Most Improved - Dylan Burston 

Dylan won the Riviera Box Cup, Welsh Box Cup and Barum Box Cup. He got to the CYP Finals and Youth Finals, losing to the eventual winner. Dylan finished the season strong, winning against two boxers he had lost to earlier in the season. He also beat the Three Nations champion to end the season. 

Senior Captain - Tremayne Reeves

Tremayne is a positive character to have in the club. He has turned his life around and always encourages others to do the best for themselves. He stepped in at short notice to box in Port Talbot, when his opponent’s bout fell through on the day and he put in a captain’s performance. 

Female Best Achieved - Ebony Webber 

Ebony won best boxer of the night in Ireland with a top performance. She won the Western Counties Novice Finals and she boxed in the finals of the Riviera Box Cup. 

Most Improved - Chloe Murphy 

Chloe beat the Irish Champion in Ireland. In the gym, her work ethic is brilliant and always looking to improve. She also boxed in the Riviera box cup finals. 

That’s a wrap for 23/24 season, here’s to an even bigger 24/25 campaign.