Amateur boxing's new age starts in Shropshire

A massive re-brand of the unpaid code has seen the ABA re-named England Boxing and the juniors now become the England Youth Championships.

An overhaul of the rules will change the game for fighters and Donnington Sports & Social Club in Telford will be part of where it all begins tomorrow afternoon.

Donnington Boxing Club – the amateur is to be dropped – is staging the first West Midlands round of the youth tournament, where the new regulations will be in force.

The obvious change will be a longer distance in each contest – three, two minute rounds have turned into three, threes – with the judges using a 10-point scoring system.

Three club coaches rather than two are allowed in a fighter's corner, while trainers are also permitted to speak to their charges from the side of the ring as they box.

It's geared to comply with International Boxing Association rules, which the ABA were forced to comply with or face being kicked out of international competitions.

Their thinking is that all boxing bouts should mirror the paid game and Donnington trainer Tristan Davies, an ex-pro, believes it will raise the bar for amateurs.

He said: "Personally, I don't mind the longer rounds. My lads train pretty hard so I think it might suit them better. Towards the fight, they will be in the gym Monday to Friday.

"Fitness will be important. People will have to be more dedicated to the sport now. Training twice a week, you can often get away with two minute rounds.

"It's better for fighters in the respect of they will have more time to figure their opponents out, as there's more time to win fights. Clever boxers will take their time with shots.

"Some kids come in and try to rush the other kid, because it's a short round. I guess if you had Telford playing Manchester United, it would be close for the first six minutes.

"I think this will make it easier for the better, more experienced lads to pick off the novices. It's a lot like being a pro, the longer the rounds go, the more you have to rely on skill.

"It's something new, maybe it will make fights more exciting. It's a new challenge for everyone and will certainly freshen things up."

He's entering his son, Liam Davies, in Class A, for boxers born in 1995, and Macualey Owen in Class B, for fighters born in 1996. But the weight limits have also been subject to change.

Junior, female and novice fighters must still wear head-guards, though, but what was the senior ABAs will do without later this year. Davies, who has boxed with both, is dead against it.

He said: "That I don't agree with. I think amateurs should always have head-guards on. The longer distances already leave you more open to a chance of dropping your defences.

"That's how you get hurt and, when you turn pro, you know that's the risk. In the amateurs, where some are not so serious about the sport, it could lead to problems."

Spectators are welcome to attend tomorrow's show, with entry £10 for a busy day of action. Combatants tip the scales at 10am, with boxing starting at 1pm.

By Craig Birch