Anthony Ibekwe announced himself as one of the most exciting prospects in British amateur boxing after powering to super heavyweight gold at the Riviera Box Cup in Torbay. The Finchley ABC fighter faced Ireland’s William John McCarton in the +92kg final, a bout that opened at a furious pace with the Irishman charging forward and throwing heavy shots. Ibekwe absorbed the early storm and responded with sharp counters, including a clean uppercut that shifted the momentum in the opening round.
By the second round, the contest had become a test of stamina as Ibekwe showed signs of heavy breathing but refused to give ground. He kept his composure under pressure, landing telling punches that slowed McCarton’s rhythm. In the third and final round, Ibekwe connected with a powerful left hook followed by precise headshots that pushed his opponent onto the back foot. The judges saw it clearly, awarding Ibekwe a unanimous decision and the coveted gold medal.
The tournament delivered several other standout performances across divisions. Barton Hill’s Giedale Stewart impressed in the novice ranks by forcing a second-round stoppage over Johnmara Aburamoia with a series of punishing right hands. At light heavyweight, Wolverhampton’s Henry Murray fought bravely against Bideford’s Dylan Burston, but Burston’s strong finish secured him a hard-earned unanimous decision.
The women’s contests brought their own drama and quality. Hannah Jeffrey of Lord Mountbatten dominated her flyweight final against Charlie Miller of Blue Flames, earning a clear points victory with her superior work rate. In a tightly contested 54kg bout, Ella Doe of CNC Christchurch edged past Manchester Box Cup winner Faye McCormick of Magic Hatton in a split decision.
Explosive finishes also thrilled the crowd in the men’s divisions. Morris James of Blackbird Leys forced a third-round stoppage against Ollie Lee in the 75kg category, while JABxing novice Dre Patterson produced a ruthless display at 67kg, overwhelming Oliver Culling with relentless pressure and power to earn a stoppage inside three rounds.
The evening closed on a memorable note for the host club when local featherweight Neo Judge, aptly named after the Matrix character, lit up the arena with his relentless attacking style. Judge’s non-stop combinations and forward pressure proved too much for Khurram Ali Shan, and he was awarded a unanimous decision that secured gold for Torbay.
With Ibekwe’s breakthrough triumph, Burston’s resilience and Judge’s hometown heroics, the Riviera Box Cup once again lived up to its reputation as a showcase of the brightest rising stars in amateur boxing, hinting strongly that the next generation of champions is already making its mark.
