Guernsey Press

Sumner returns to the ring

AS HE ends his two-year hiatus and returns to the ring, Chris Sumner says he is now fully committed to a long and hopefully successful boxing career.

Published
Chris Sumner, right, in action back in 2016. He makes his return to the ring on Friday night.

The 23-year-old from Alderney has long been touted as potentially one of the finest talents to emerge from these shores in some time and many put his abilities on a par with his good friend Billy Le Poullain.

But while Le Poullain is preparing for a trip to the Commonwealth Games in a few weeks’ time, Sumner is playing catch-up after last fighting in March 2016.

Yesterday he explained why he decided to call it a day back then and why now, with the influence of Le Poullain, has chosen to make his comeback, starting with the first Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club show of 2018 on Friday.

‘My last bout was in the last-16 of the ABA Championships and I put so much into that season, I just got fed up with it really and needed a break,’ said Sumner.

‘That break has probably lasted longer than I initially planned, but I started to really miss it – the banter in the gym, the discipline that boxing brings you, everything really – and decided the time was now right.

‘A big thing has also been watching Billy achieve what he has in the last couple of years. I am delighted for him because he deserves it, but it also goes to show to me what I could achieve if I work hard.

‘Now I am back, I am not planning to take any more breaks, I am back until I finally call it a day and hopefully that is a few years away yet.’

  • More in Wednesday's Guernsey Press.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.