Last month, Royal Navy Boxing Association members participated in the Haringey Box Cup, Europe's largest amateur boxing event at Alexandra Palace in London.
Over 360 male and female elite boxers from all over Europe were in attendance at London's most prestigious venue.
Day 1 brought three bouts, the first being MNE Rands Silva of 42 Cdo, who launched into the bout with great intensity against his London-based Finchley opponent. He displayed impressive agility and a long-range approach and seemed to have the upper hand. However, the tides quickly turned when his opponent unleashed a powerful right hand on his temple, compelling MNE Rands Silva to take a knee. Concerned for the boxer’s safety, the referee deemed him unfit to continue, resulting in a disappointing defeat.
Meanwhile, MNE Fanning of 30 Cdo, representing the RNBA for the first time, kicked off his RNBA career against a solid opponent from London Club White Hart Lane with a burst of energy. He convincingly dominated the first two rounds by employing a combination of well-timed punches and skilful manoeuvring. Despite facing a determined comeback from his opponent in the third round, he exhibited remarkable discipline, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory.
To finish day 1, MNE France of CLR delivered an inspiring performance against a Midlands-based opponent from Cleary's Gym. With remarkable tenacity, he quickly deciphered his adversary's tactics, asserting his dominance in the centre of the ring. Throughout the contest, he consistently landed clean, eye-catching backhand punches, leaving a lasting impression on the judges. Their unanimous decision favouring MNE France was well-deserved, reflecting the control exhibited during the bout.
Day 2 brought in a thrilling Semi-Final match. MNE Fanning squared off against an Irish opponent, facing a slow start against the tall, awkward southpaw stylist. Throughout the bout, he was vulnerable to his opponent's skilful counter-punching backhands. However, as the rounds progressed, he began to showcase better performance, gradually gaining momentum and pressuring his opponent. Unfortunately, he found his stride in the last round, asserting dominance and attempting to turn the tide. Regrettably, his efforts came a little too late, and the judges awarded his opponent a unanimous points decision. Despite the loss, this match marked a significant step up in class for MNE Fanning, providing him with invaluable experience and lessons to carry forward in his career.
MNE Crookes, 45 Cdo, entered the ring for his Semi-Final bout against a formidable Scottish international opponent. Right from the start, he displayed exceptional skills, delivering powerful body punches and landing precise lead hooks to his opponent's head, catching him off guard in the opening round. However, a strategic shift from his opponent led to him missing his marks and falling victim to effective counters, resulting in a standing count. Undeterred, he maintained pressure and intensity throughout the remaining two rounds. Yet, his opponent's switch-hitting and intensified attacks in the final rounds secured them the upper hand in the decision. Despite falling short, MNE Crookes showcased commendable competitiveness throughout the match, demonstrating his ability to contend against opponents of a higher calibre. The bout proved to be an exhilarating spectacle for all, with his performance leaving a lasting impression.
MNE France faced off against a Scottish Champion in a Semi-Final showdown that commenced at an electrifying pace. A clash of heads occurred in a mere forty seconds of the first round, resulting in a cut on the opponent's forehead, attributed to their reckless boxing approach. The bout progressed to the scorecards, leaving him feeling unfortunate as he narrowly lost the decision. Many believe he would have likely deciphered his opponent's tactics and gained the upper hand in later rounds. Although the tournament ended on a disappointing note for MNE France, the experience of competing against an opponent from another nation provided valuable exposure and represented another significant step up in class for the talented RNBA Boxer.
RNBA Team Coach, SLt David Hull said, "The RNBA Boxers showcased their exceptional skills and determination as they participated in this prestigious event. As the tournament unfolded, the RNBA boxers faced diverse challenges; these thrilling matches once again underscored these exceptional elite-level boxers' relentless spirit and unwavering determination. This achievement highlights their talent and reflects the strong representation of the RNBA on a European sporting stage."
