The annual BUCS Boxing Championship will take place in Stoke-on-Trent’s Staffordshire University for the second year in a row, running from Friday to Sunday in a straight knockout tournament – and UEL’s finest punchers are ready to rumble
The boxing weekend will bring the best student boxers in the United Kingdom to a tournament which has the reputation of being a stepping stone for a lot of successful fighters.
BUCS Events Manager, Amy Clayfield seemed delighted for Staffordshire to run the championships again after what was a very successful year last year.
“Their fantastic facilities will ensure that the event continues to showcase top quality boxing.” Amy Clayfield told Rising East.
“Staffordshire did an excellent job last season in helping BUCS to deliver the best Boxing Championships BUCS has ever seen and I can’t wait to work with them to take the Championships to the next level”.
Both men and women will participate in the tournament this weekend.
Weights will run from 52kg all the way to the Heavyweight category of 91kg+.
University of East London will be represented by three students this year, all of whom are in the elite category, which means they have had over 20 bouts.
In the welterweight (64-69kg) category, experienced Swiss champion and repton boxer, Raphael Arguello will face a tough draw with six other lads all battling it out for the gold medal.
Conail Gallagher, will fight in the middleweight division (69-75kg) this year after struggling with making the welterweight category last year
Gallagher who also trains at the iconic Repton Boxing Club will fight at the BUCS Championship for the first time.
Asked about his feelings about the upcoming tournament he told Rising East it is what he has dreamed of.
“My division is packed with top lads and they will bring out the best in me.” said the Gloucestershire-raised fighter.
” I know what I have put myself through and I am coming to prove everyone wrong to take that gold medal.”
Conail also mentioned his sacrifice and application to his craft during and after the festive period.
“I kept my weight down over Christmas and stayed dedicated, so I have got myself in good nick. I am ready and hungry”.
East London’s third representative at the competition will be Omar Augustine.
The boxer will fight in the light heavyweight (75-81kg) division.
Omar who reached ABA Championships finals and won the England Boxing Youth Championship Belt will go to the competition as the favourite.
Augustine, who is now a sports scholar at UEL, although concentrating on the BUCS, has a long-term Olympic dream.
“I hope to be good enough to get into the 2020 Olympics. that is the main long-term aim after these championships”
The championships will be aired live on StaffsTV via Youtube or the website.