Countdown on to biggest date in Braid boxing club’s history

The Ballykeel-based club will host the Ulster juvenile championships for the first time, with the tournament starting on November 17.

Braid ABC have taken on the organising of this event and have engaged with Ballymena Borough Council who have given the event their full support.

The event is expected to see approximately 200 boxers all hoping to claim gold and the title of Ulster Champion, the tournament is for juvenile boxers aged between 11-13 years of age and will play host to current Ulster and Irish Champions. Weigh ins commence on the Saturday morning and boxing is expected to start at 12.00. Saturday will kick off the preliminary rounds.

The quarter and semi-finals will play out throughout the week before culminating in the Finals the following Saturday.

Admissions for each of the sessions are £3.

This is a great opportunity for any young people or parents who are considering taking up the sport to come and see what the sport has to offer.

Boxing in recent years has seen resurgence and boxing clubs’ numbers are swelling. Much of this can be attributed to the success of local boxers who have been making headlines across the world, Olympic medal success and high profile press coverage of our medal winners have all helped to encourage more young people into the sport.

Braid ABC is expecting a very successful championship on two levels, not least for their own team of boxers taking part, - Braid ABC is entering no less than five boxers who between them have already picked up six gold medals last season.

Braid are hoping to repeat the success but are not taking the challenge lightly and coaching and conditioning classes are in full swing for its young boxers. Taking part will be Christopher Hagan, Tyler McMullan, Ryan Lorimer and Paul O’Rawe.