Wigan boxer celebrates big win in Bolton

It was much to the delight of the organiser, Wigan’s Alan Smith, who was particularly proud to see the success of this athlete he coaches at the town’s Youth Zone Boxing Academy.

A former student of Dean Trust Academy Wigan, Uzsoy has been training for five years and now attends a local college.

“I was impressed with how well everything was organised over the two days and just how smoothly everything ran,” said his mother Jane.

“Everything had been planned meticulously. The standard of competition was high.

"We’re proud of how well Aydin did getting a unanimous decision win and he’s thrilled to have received his Golden Gloves and vest as prizes which he’ll cherish as unique and special."

Smith added: “We’re proud to have put on a world class event as this year’s Global Glove Box Cup was the biggest and most successful amateur gathering ever held in the north west.

"We welcomed athletes and teams from across these islands and further afield including Italy, Norway, Ukraine and even the USA.

"The atmosphere was exhilarating. It was heart-warming to see boxers making new friends even with opponents. That’s what sport should be about.

"There were some well-known supporters in attendance. Shane Fury came down, along with several young members of the Fury family competing over the weekend.

"We were also joined by Love Island stars Shakira Khan and Harry Cooksley. Shakira came to support her sister Laylah Khan, who won gold and received the tournament’s Best Female Boxer award.

"Tyson Fury’s home gym, Manchester’s Jimmy Egans Boxing Academy, took home an incredible eight Golden Gloves, earning the title of Best Club of the Tournament.”

Smith, 38, currently serves as England Boxing’s Northwest Regional Lead Coach.

A keen amateur boxer with 60 bouts behind him, Smith’s professional career was unfortunately cut short owing to a knee injury.

“Eighteen years of coaching have made me passionate about creating the best possible opportunities for young athletes in our region and to keep amateur boxing thriving for future generations," he said.

"The feedback from coaches, boxers, officials, and supporters has been unbelievable. Events like this prove what amateur boxing can be when the right people come together. I’m proud of the platform we’ve created for young athletes, and I’m determined to grow the Global Glove Box Cup year after year.”

The Wigan man’s list of amateur champions is impressive especially from his time as chief coach at Majestic Boxing Academy.

“I produced multi north west champion and international gold medallists including Jayden Leach, Connor Yates, Jake McKillop, Tom Lavery, Reagan Smith and Akila Smith," he said.

“I’d encourage boys and girls in Wigan to come along to Youth Zone Boxing Academy to see how they can benefit from amateur boxing.

"There’s no pressure to compete although many decide quite quickly that they’re keen to prove themselves in the ring. Boxing is a great sport for making friends who you then support in competition.

It costs just 50p a session so there’s lots of opportunities for everyone at our boxing academy.”

For further information visit www.wiganyouthzone.org . The facilities are located at Parson's Walk, Wigan WN1 1RU.