Photos Courtesy of Robert Callum Roe @ Media Sport Photography
Competitive boxing returned for the boxers and team members at Worksop’s premier boxing promotion company, Boyles Pro Boxing, and boxing academy The Xbox Boxing Academy as the first event of the 2024 season was upon them, however this was not just another boxing event for them though, not by a long way, as it featured huge fights for Championship honours for two of Chris Boyle’s charges.
Two decades of hard work by Boyle and his team finally paid off on Saturday 3rd February 2024, at Shirebrook Leisure Centre, in the way of a World Boxing Association (WBA) championship fight for local star Eleanor ‘Triple L’ Coulson.
Coulson, a 3 times World Champion, holding WBU, WBForum and IBC World Crowns, was set to challenge for one of the Big 4 Championships, against the tough Australian multi-discipline Champion – MMA & Boxing – Jamie Edenden for the vacant WBA Oceania Middleweight Championship.
The WBA accolade is the pinnacle of World boxing, only the World’s best, such as undisputed legends such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Ricky Hatton, Floyd Mayweather, Roy Jones Jr through to current stars such as UK’s very own Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Josh Warrington get the opportunity to challenge for WBA Championship honours.
With the crowd in anticipation the contest got underway over 10 rounds under World Renowned Championship Referee Ian John-Lewis’ stewardship.
Serious ring-craft was on display by both combatants, Coulson getting behind and utilising her exceptional jab to full effect, whilst Edenden favouring being on the front foot throwing big right hands, and initially with some success.
However, as the rounds progressed Coulson’s World class jab became ever present, with more volume and mixed up with a short right or combination on occasion.
After ten tight rounds of highly technical ‘chess-game’ style boxing the three judges ringside scored unanimous points victory in favour of ‘Triple L’ with scores of Judge Adam Puttock 99-91, Judge Ben Watkinson 99-91 and Judge Carla Fox 98-92.
When the WBA Oceania President Mr Ferlin Marsh crowned Coulson as the new WBA Oceania Middleweight champion, history was created by the Worksop girl, as she became the first British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) licensed boxer to campaign for a WBA Championship and the first first BIBA licensed Female Boxer to compete for a Big 4 Championship.
Following the Championship presentation an elated Coulson said “I’m very excited and emotional at the minute.
“This fight was huge for me and my coach Chris, we’ve worked so hard to get here
“The slogan blood sweat and tears! Is definitely the best way to describe this camp and the journey to being the proud holder of this beautiful belt’
Coulson continued, “Jamie’s a great champion, being the Australian champion we knew our game plan and execution needed to be on point and punch perfect and we did that tonight.
“Credit to her and her team she’s a top girl”
An elated Chris Boyle said, “What a mature performance from a 21 year old girl that was!
“Proud isn’t a big enough word for me to describe that display as its way beyond that in my eyes.
“We’ve had a tough road to travel to get here over ten years!!!! But tonight’s made those years have been worth it to get to where we are now
“Everyone has contributed to this moment for Elle, her family around her which are fantastic and part of the success story but also the many doubters and critics of Elle over the years have really pushed us both on and fuelled us and we are it work for us
“Wow and now she’s holding this prestigious title!! Amazing it really is.”
Winning this prestigious title elevates Coulson into the WBA World rankings and stage, presenting the Worksop girl the opportunity to challenge for further WBA Championship accolades such as International, Intercontinental and potentially the pinnacle, the World Crown, which is currently held by American superstar Claressa Shields.
Now to the undercard, and making his debut on the night was local lad Adam Dent, another top prospect from the team Xbox Academy’s conveyor belt of top class amateurs progressing to the Pro scene.
Dent didn’t disappoint with a calm composed clinical display against the seasoned Belfast fighter Marty Kayes over 4 rounds. A great start for Dent, he’d performed supremely, winning every round.
Another debuting boxer for Boyle’s Pro Boxing was the highly regarded former amateur star Reece Bradford.
Bradford had to deal with the frustrations of not just one but two late change of opponent, so no surprise when Bradford stepped into the ropes he was ready to release his frustration on his opponent David Chapman.
Boy oh boy and did he do so in devastating style with a demonstration of spiteful attacks, demolishing chapman in just 90 seconds. A bright future looks set for Bradford.
Konrad Nowicki, another from the Xbox stable was also involved in huge fight, against the big hitting Jack Way from Ashford, Kent for the vacant International Boxing Council (IBC) Light Heavyweight World Crown.
Light Heavyweight was clearly not the weight for Nowicki, who normally fights at a lower weight, as despite a fast start from the Polish born fighter it always looked like Way was waiting for the right moment to unload his artillery, and when he did Nowicki was sent to the canvas.
With two heavy knockdowns of their man Nowicki’s corner had seen enough, throwing in the towel to save him from further punishment, as well as crowning Jack Way the new IBC Light Heavyweight World Champion.
Sheffield veteran Mamraze Afsar also featured, against Junior Foster, a slick prospect from the West Midlands.
Afsar looked a little out of depth, albeit never short of bravery, however following another big attack from Foster, Afsar’s corner retired their man 93 seconds into the third round.
The final undercard fight of the Coulson Vs Edenden WBA Championship Headlined event see Dublin’s highly rated prospect Francy Luzoho in action against extremely late replacement Harneet Singh, following his original opponent failing to get his visa in time.
Right from the opening bell Luzoho went in hard and fast, landing a barrage of massive shots at such a pace Singh just covered up to protect himself as much as possible.
Twenty seconds later it was all over with Singh sent hard to the canvas.
