The local South Leeds boxing scene continues to thrive with three late autumn shows giving boxers the chance to showcase skills and demonstrate courage.
Middleton’s Rawa Rashid won his first boxing bout on Beeston promoter Tristan Haynes eleventh show at Leeds Angler’s Club. Sixteen-year-old Rashid beat his opponent Bradford’s Ibrahim Iddis by knockout in the second of three two-minute rounds in what a commentator described as “an aggressive and exhilarating encounter which made it clear just how tough and courageous these two teenagers are.” Rashid trains in Morley at Leeds Martial Arts and previously fought an MMA bout. “I was delighted with my boxing performance,” said Rashid, “and I want to thank my coaches for the time they’ve spent training me. I’m keen to box again soon.”
Gracjan Krupski trains at MSA in Beeston where Haynes also runs his club. Well known on the Muay Thai circuit, Krupski, 17, beat Wakefield’s Nathan Wilson to take the promotion’s novice boxing title. Krupski said “I’ve trained as a Thai boxer for six years and always wanted to be a champion now I also want to continue boxing and do well in both.”
Ben Finlay and Owen Ineson who train with Haynes also won their bouts. Finlay was awarded ‘Fighter of the Year’ by Haynes and has made a name for himself on the local unlicensed circuit having won thirteen of seventeen matches.
Nathan Wilson (left) and Gracjan Krupski (right)
Gracjan Krupski (red trunks) with Nathan Wilson
Kieran MacMillan, 17, only started training with Haynes earlier in 2024 but has been named ‘most improved boxer of the year.’ MacMillan demonstrated what he’d learnt in a non-scored skills bout but hopes to have a decision match next time.Uncle and nephew Ryan and Thomas Winstanley won bouts on separate shows organised by Hunslet’s Golden Team gym and local promoter Mark Holmes.
“I’m proud to have won the Holmes Promotions 72kg title belt,” said Ryan, 33. “I started boxing two years ago to help beat the usual addictions. I’m a typical lad with ADHD. Boxing’s given me the focus to change my life and it’s all thanks to the training at Golden Team in Hunslet. Boxing makes me feel good, but I don’t like waking up the morning after a tough training session.”
Nephew Thomas, 17, admits that until he started boxing training a year ago “I was going off the tracks mixing with the wrong crowd. Uncle Ryan advised me that if I knuckled down, I’d find people would help and it’s true. I’ve fallen in love with boxing, hard though the four weekly training sessions are. Now I want to win belts and eventually become a professional boxer.”
“Thomas has had two bouts. He lost the first to a more experienced lad but won the second on the Golden Team home show decisively,” explained Ryan. “We should both next be boxing locally in February and maybe together.”
Middleton’s Devin Myers made a further successful defence of his Holmes Promotions title belt against Retford’s Ethan Waring who boxed with courage and determination in just his second outing but failed to withstand the relentless pressure applied by Myers.
Golden Team can be contacted on Facebook or at goldenteamp1@icloud.com or on 07432 297690. Owner Padraic McDonagh congratulated the Winstanleys “for fighting for the family name and turning their lives round for a golden future.”
If you are interested in training with Haynes the email contact is thpaintersanddecorators@gmail.com or Tristan Haynes on Facebook.
This post was written by James Bovington
Main photo Owen Ineson and team. All photos by James Bovington
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