First bell for Billy on road to the games
TONIGHT’S hotly-anticipated comeback show is the first competitive step of a many-month journey for Billy Le Poullain.
Guernsey’s first Commonwealth Games boxer is just one of many exciting prospects – including several debutants – taking on the RAF at the Beau Sejour ‘Fight Night’, the first domestic show since February 2020.
Now aiming firmly at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealths, the 26-year-old has been out of action even longer than many contemporaries due to other setbacks before Covid restrictions began, making his bill-topping appearance an even more monumental occasion.
But, actually, Le Poullain is quite thankful for the time off.
‘The break was good for me and I needed a break to let my body heal up,’ he said.
‘I had a few niggling injuries that I had been ignoring for a few years.
‘I had plenty of time to relax from the sport and work on things I had not had the chance to work on that much, strength-and-conditioning-wise.
‘I am looking forward to getting back in.’
Ahead of facing Arran Devine at middleweight, Le Poullain spoke from experience when he said that any armed forces boxer is ‘going to be really fit and make you work for the entire three minutes of each round’.
He is nevertheless confident in his own fitness and, unusually for him, made competition weight early with limited stress.
This bout is merely a starting point for Le Poullain, who next month begins his National Championships campaign and hopes to qualify for, and continue fighting regularly before, the Commonwealths next July.
‘That’s a big thing for me and that’s why I have been so dedicated to the boxing for the last few months,’ he added regarding a potential second Commonwealths appearance.
Tom Teers and Niall Adams will next month contest their own ‘Nationals’, albeit at development level, and Le Poullain highlighted both as ones to watch at Beau Sejour.
As for teenage debutant Finn Walsh, son of all-time great Matt? ‘He is looking great in the gym – he has really been sticking to it over the last year,’ Le Poullain said.
Overall, 13 bouts – including two all-female fights – are lined up for the event, which will take place in the smaller David Ferguson Hall due to current vaccination demands. Action starts at 6pm.
