Regional belt win for Robbie Finnie as Worksop XBox start new season with a bang
Local pugilists at Worksop's Team Xbox Boxing Academy have started the fresh season campaign with a KO punch.
And they are celebrating Robbie Finnie winning the first ever ABA Northern Region belt.
At the first ever International Golden Gloves tournament in Bristol, the Xbox team flew the Worksop flag high and proud, winning five Golden Gloves champion awards to start their season in style.
George Coombes, Ben Smith, and Reece Ansell were among the shining stars over the weekend, winning in style with a standout performance coming from the classy, slick Reece Ansell.
Reece, who is younger brother to Xbox star Robbie Finnie, stood out in the competition with sharp feet and fighting style, outwitting his opponent in every round to win his first championship.
Coach Chris Boyle said: “I’ve had Reece with me since he was five years old.
“He’s now 11 and starting to show the bright future I’ve been promising people for a while.
“This lad has everything and when he gets everything in its place he’s unbeatable.”
The Xbox boxers didn’t have long to rest before the club's home show hit Stanley Street Sports and Social Club.
With a packed card of 22 bouts from clubs all over the UK, Xbox shared the spoils, winning exactly half of their competitive bouts on the day.
Classy wins came from Ben Smith, Thomas Frew, Ryan Benton, and Romanie Birkin, returning to her home club after a losing streak at her last club and getting back to winning ways with a top level victory.
Top of the bill on the day was Robbie Finnie, boxing for the first ever ABA Northern Region belt against a classy Paddy Rooney of Kettering School of Boxing.
In a tight affair, with both boxers using caution over complacency, it was home champion Finnie who just edged his opponent out by work rate to become the new Northern Region ABA champion.
Finnie said: “I’m over the moon to be honest.
“I’ve watched Paddy boxing and respect him and his boxing skills, so to get the win today means everything.
“My coach Chris said he believes I can beat anyone who I get into the ring with if I stick to my game plan, and we as a team do just that.
Coach Chris said: “Robbie is such a class act and an absolute pleasure to teach.
“We’ve been together over 10 years now and to say I’m proud of his build as a boxer and a person is an understatement.”