Welcome to fight club
SEVEN island boxers showed off their skills at a specially arranged open training session earlier this month. Alderney Boxing Club trainers Paul Rose and Fred Shaw organised the event to raise the club's profile and thank sponsors.
SEVEN island boxers showed off their skills at a specially arranged open training session earlier this month. Alderney Boxing Club trainers Paul Rose and Fred Shaw organised the event to raise the club's profile and thank sponsors.
Mr Rose addressed the invited guests before the boys took part in a series of conditioned sparring sessions.
'We're a non-profit organisation that relies on funding from outsiders.
'There are a lot of generous people in Alderney and they help us out. We're also grateful to the States for leasing us this part of Fort Doyle.'
He went on to outline what equipment is required in order to keep the club going.
'Equipment doesn't come cheap. The ring we bought four years ago cost £2,000.
'Also, all the boys need good quality headguards and abdominal protectors. It's about £100 for each piece of kit.'
Mr Rose said the club is open to all islanders, male or female, whether they box or not.
'Female boxing in England has come on a lot recently and we've had one or two girls come down here to train.'
He praised boxers Adam Rose, David Chadney, Chris Sumner, Billy Le Poullain, Saul Woodruff, Ashley Foster and Joel Mitton, who each received a trophy at the end of the session, saying they did well to compete at a high level.
'These boys only have each other to spar with, but they manage to more than compete with other fighters from much bigger gyms.
'The seven lads here have fought 62 contests between them and managed 36 victories. Of the defeats, 26 were close points losses.
'That equals a success rate of 60%, which is good. However, we're not happy with that – we want an extra 10%.'
Mr Rose then asked the fighters why they box. Answers included the words 'fitness', 'enjoyment', 'fun' and 'discipline', with one boy suggesting it helped keep him off the booze.
He added: 'We teach skill, judgement, quick thinking, speedy reflexes and the ability to remain cool under pressure.
'Discipline is very important. We don't want these lads mixing it on the streets.
'If we hear they've been doing that, we're not very nice to them when they come down here.'
Mr Shaw, who helped set the club up with the late Midge Dupont 40 years ago,
mentioned the plaque which was recently put up in the latter's honour.
He also thanked the club's sponsors and said it would have been impossible for the island's boxers to fight in Germany, Northern Ireland and the other Channel Islands over the years without their support.
Mr Shaw said the club had produced Southern Area and Western Counties champions and helped Don Cosheril make his way up the British rankings as a professional.
He also alluded to Mr Rose's fighting career by saying he had reached the quarter finals of the ABA Championships and only lost on a cut when he was ahead on points.
