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The Lions Den ABC plan next show in December after its successful first anniversary show at Suthers School in Fernwood on Sunday




A show held to mark The Lions Den ABC’s first anniversary was so successful they’ve already booked another one.

More than 200 people turned out at the Suthers School in Fernwood on Sunday to witness a festival of boxing.

All smiles at the Lions Den show.
All smiles at the Lions Den show.

There were top performances from a host of home fighters, including Sonny Steele, who beat Frank Alex, of Bennys, to win the East Midlands under-80kg elite belt.

Organisers have moved swiftly to arrange their next show.

“It went so well,” said coach and club co-founder Robert Morton.

“Off the back of that, we’ve booked another show for Sunday, December 15, just before Christmas.

“It was a sell-out, to be fair. We had over 200 people there, which created a really good atmosphere.

“We were really impressed to see local people come out to support the show.”

Robert Morton with the Huey Steele Memorial Belt for boxer of the night.
Robert Morton with the Huey Steele Memorial Belt for boxer of the night.

Professional promoter Carl Greaves made a guest appearance, handing out trophies to the boxers.

Among the other boxers in action were under-75kg champion Jake Blant, who won a warm-up fight for the upcoming NAGBC Championships, and Morton’s son, also Robert, whose unanimous win over Frankie Hatton (Priory ABC), earned the boxer of the night award from show officials.

He was presented with the Huey Steele Memorial Belt for his display.

Arlo Pearson, 11, picked up his first win since joining the club, pulling out an impressive performance, while Jacob Farrow looked particularly strong in his stoppage victory.

There were 16 bouts in total, including a number of skills contests.

Arlo Pearson, right, celebrates his first win for The Lions Den.
Arlo Pearson, right, celebrates his first win for The Lions Den.

It’s been a fantastic first year for The Lions Den who have gone from strength to strength.

Numbers are on the rise, they have England representatives, and are currently looking for new premises.

“We’ve got 37 carded England boxers and 40 people attend a session three times a week,” said Morton.

“We started last season with 15 carded boxers, so it’s more than doubled, and we’ve had great results.

“We’ve had lads that have gone to national finals and representing us in the Tri Nations for their country.

“It’s just grown and grown. We’ve got boxers from the age of eight to 28 and three Level 2 coaches.

New U80kg champion Sonny Steele.
New U80kg champion Sonny Steele.

“We can probably have another 20 boxers and we’re looking at property so we can expand. That’s the next step.

“There’s one in the pipeline, it’s just a case of getting everything finalised.

“We’ve had a couple of sponsors come in but we’re still looking for a few more because it’s a charity-run club, all non-profit.

“Three of us set it up a year ago. We were with another boxing club in the town and we just looked to go on our own.

“We went for it and we’re getting results as well.

“We’ve got lads all through the years, schoolboy, junior, youth, seniors, elites, going through the national championships. We’re just flying at the minute.”



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