Guernsey boxers targeting national success
BILLY LE POULLAIN and James Woolnough start the quest for national glory this weekend as their elite ABA championships campaigns get under way in Bristol.
Both Guernsey Amalgamated boxers are former quarter-finalists – Le Poullain as recently as last season – and know that if they go one better and reach the semis, they will also fulfil the criteria for Commonwealth Games selection.
However, that is just the first ambition for 21-year-old Le Poullain, who believes this is the year he can kick on and win the 69kg welterweight title.
He faces Ben Demmery this weekend, with the winner going on to fight in the final of the Western Counties division a fortnight later.
'I really think this is the year when I can win the title – I am in a far better position to challenge for it than I was this time last year,' said Le Poullain.
While Le Poullain faces six fights if he is to go the whole way and win the national title, his club-mate Woolnough could face as many as eight in the 75kg middleweight division.
He is one of five Western Counties men in that category alongside Taken Prior, Mickey Parsons, Liam O'Hare and Aidean Watson, meaning he could face up to three fights just to get out of the region.
More in Thursdays Guernsey Press.
