Over 600 spectators were in attendance to witness 26 incredible amateur boxing bouts at the Bath Assembly Rooms last month. This was the first time boxing had taken place beneath the stunning ballroom chandeliers since 1973, when the Western Counties ABA met a team from the Royal Navy. It was therefore fitting to mark the return 50 years later by hosting the Western Counties Finals, with this years Development champions decided in spectacular style at a venue fitting the grandeur of such an event. The boxing in all contests was superb and well matched, and the winners, who include Roman Boxing’s Terence Beekma and Max Barnes, now look forward to competing for National honours in the coming weeks.
Later in the evening, Roman Boxing held their first ever club show. As a non profit sports club, those organising the event were nervous about recouping costs in the weeks leading up. At 6pm on the night, with a queue stretching around the block, the shows success was clear. The local support for the boxers and club far surpassed any expectations and the venues capacity of 400 was quickly reached, with an estimated 100 unfortunately then being turned away at the door. The disappointment was clear, and organisers are already hard at work finding solutions for next year. Inside the venue the atmosphere was awe-inspiring, with the cheers and support echoing through the ballroom’s vaulted ceiling and encouraging the contestants to give their all. Everyone who boxed will surely remember performance for years to come.
In total, 52 boxers and 102 coaches representing 30 clubs across England attended across the two shows, which were organised and run by a team of 22 volunteers. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many comments regarding the impressiveness of the venue and how well run the shows were. One visiting coach commented this show set a new standard for championships. A supporter explained they had attended hundreds of boxing shows over the years, yet had never seen an amateur boxing show with 400 spectators.
The Roman Boxing team would like to once again thank all the boxers, their coaches and the Western Counties officials for putting on a great show, everyone who came along on the night to support, the National Trust team at the Assembly Rooms, and everyone who offered their time and services to help out. With the support of our wonderful community in Bath we will strive to make this a regular event for our City.
In the meantime, Roman Boxing Gym are eager to hear from community leaders in Bath who are interested in incorporating boxing oriented activities for their groups. Whether it’s fun and fitness for those not engaged with traditional sports, mentoring, tackling physical and mental health issues or improving social inclusion, boxing is a powerful tool. Please contact secretary@romanboxing.co.uk to find out how we can work together.
Western Counties Finals Development Championships 2023 Results
 | ZAK TAYLOR Factory Win | Junior 08 44-46kgs | SAMUEL CARTER Bodmin |  |
| CORY HUGHES Synwell | Junior 08 57-60kgs | SONNY LINDSAY Parkstone Win | |
| EVAN BURNS Blue Flames Win | Junior 07 57-60kgs | ASA LEE Bodmin | |
| MARLEY STOCK Factory Win | Junior 07 63-66kgs | JUSTIN JONES Newquay | |
| RONNY SCOTT Roman Boxing | Junior 07 66-70kgs | ROWAN CALDWELL Plumpton Win | |
| MACKENZIE ELFORD Blue Flames Win | Youth 54-57kgs | CASEY PAIN Devizes | |
| MAX BARNES Roman Boxing Win | Youth 60-63.5kgs | MASON SMITH Kings | |
| PAUL THOMAS Kings | Youth 67-71kgs | BEN THOMAS Bodmin Win | |
| LIAM FOURACRES Yeovil Win | Senior 57-60kgs | TOMMY HODSON Poole | |
| MICHAEL STOCK Yeovil | Senior 60-63.5kgs | DREW BOULTON Legends Plymstock Win | |
| KIALL GOODALL Factory | Senior 67-71kgs | MARC PLUNKETT Bodysnatchers Win | |
| ALFIE TROOP Chard Win | Senior 71-75kgs | CONNOR UENDY St.Pirans | |
| CHARLIE COWLEY Chard | Senior 75-80kgs | JACK BURTON Poole Win | |
| JAMIE CLARIDGE Weston Warriors Win | Senior 80-86kgs | LEWIS ROSE Crewkerne | |
| SEBASTIAN HUDD Sweatbox Win | Senior 86-92kgs | CONNOR TAYLOR St.Ives | |
| JOSHUA LYND The Hubb | Senior 92+kgs | JACOB MATTHEWS St.Pirans Win | |
Roman Boxing Home Show 2023 Results
| Ottis Hammond Roman Boxing No Winner (Skills bout) | 3x1min (Skills) 60kgs | Tymon Saluki Highcross No Winner (Skills bout) | |
| Kaydon Smith Downend Bristol | 3×1½min (Schools) 42kgs | Frankie Osborn Scrappers Swindon Win (Points) | |
| Karl Taylor Gloucester City Win (4-1 Split) | 3×1½min (Schools) 57kgs | Thurlis Edwards Highcross ABC Newport | |
| Oliver Cory Roman Boxing Win (Points) | 3x2min (Junior) 56kgs | Shane Long Sturminster Newton | |
| Seb Smart Roman Boxing | 3x2min (Youth) 60kgs | Nathen Coney Blake ABC Win (3rd Round Stoppage) | |
| Cayden Amollo Roman Boxing Win (2nd Round Stoppage) | 3x2min (Youth) 67kgs | Rory Lansley Phoenix Tiverton Devon | |
| Jess Bryden Scrappers Swindon | 3x2min (Youth) 62kgs | Madelaine Wright Blake ABC Bridgewater Win (Points) | |
| George Hughes Roman Boxing Win (4-1 Split) | 3x2min (Senior) 59kgs | Chris Richardson Downend ABC | |
| Yuui Heya Sheffield City | 3x2min (Senior) 62kgs | Oliver Groves Torbay Win (Points) | |
| Harvey James Roman Boxing Win (3-2 Split) | 3x2min (Senior) 79kgs | Elliot Darcy Legends Plymstock | |