Boxers’ New Year boost

With the Burnley club entering eight schoolboy boxers in this month’s ABA Schoolboy Championship, training is a must as is leaving off the tins of Quality Street!

Coaches Nik Tucker and Shaun Dwyer called upon a Sandygate old-boy, professional trainer and promoter Kevin Maree from Maree Promotions to help out after the winter pipe burst.

Maree, whose professional gym is situated at Stirk House, Gisburn, was all too happy to help out the young local pugilists at short notice.

“With the ABA’s starting in January, the boys’ training is coming to its climax, they put in so much work all year ready for these bouts, with the success of ABA champion Sam Tucker (13) and Jerome Lawton (13) last season, the rest of the lads are hungry to achieve also”, said club coach Dwyer.

Maree added: “I have seen some quality here, putting the lads through their paces and pushing them hard.

“You can see why the club is achieving so much with their youths as they are as dedicated and disciplined as any professional.”

Sandygate coach Nik Tucker would like to thank Maree for allowing his lads to train at his gym and for giving up his own time for them.

Maree also gave young prospect Joe ‘Butcher’ Bisset (14) a belated Christmas present for impressing so much - a pair of Ricky Hatton fight shorts.

Anyone interested in taking up the noble art in the New Year can contact Nik Tucker 0785550519 or Andy Howcroft 07866073353.