Local boxer Ellie Newall has proven to be a force in the ring after being crowned a national champion.

Over the last 12 months, Ellie has grown from a gym beginner to a lion in the ring. She began with the desire to grow and is now an unbeaten fighter.

Training at Newall’s Boxing Academy, the 15-year-old is coached by her uncle, James Newall, someone who always saw the potential within her.

“When she first started training, she would pretend to have excuses as to why she didn’t want to train.

“But I always knew she had so much potential, and I encouraged her to believe in herself, I knew she could be a winner,” he said.

His belief was, of course, correct and before long, Ellie’s training was rapidly improving.

From struggling to run for longer than two minutes, Ellie now completes runs of 10 miles every Sunday.

This training, commitment, and dedication has led her on an incredible journey, taking her to the England Boxing National Championships.

The competition was held at Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and saw a range of talented fighters compete to prove their stance in the sport.

Newall’s Boxing Academy arrived with a host of athletes, facing an experience like no other.

“The experience at the Championships was unbelievable, there were three rings with over 100 fights taking place.

“Ellie had to box three times to get to the final, she managed to knock out her second opponent in the semi-finals. In the final, she won on unanimous decision, beating a girl who won last year,” James said.

This is an incredible achievement for any athlete, but for someone who hasn’t been boxing for long, this accolade proves just how talented of a fighter Ellie is.

Ellie plans to compete at National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs Boxing and take home another gold medal.

Boxing has undoubtedly changed Ellie’s life, and James strives to provide this to so many other young people too. In a world filled with crime and frightening ordeals, a sport like boxing helps to keep children off the streets.

“Taking children off the street is so important. If they come to the gym, they’re here for two hours and they’ve used their energy in a healthy way.

“There are people who have come to train and have since got jobs and turned their lives around.

“Athletes come and they see their gym mates doing well and winning competitions, it inspires them and makes them want to work hard,” James said.

Opening his gym 18 months ago, he said at the time his goal was to have a national champion. Now, his very own niece has granted that wish.

Newall’s Boxing Academy has boasted a successful season since its start in September, competing in 15 fights with no loses.

The club prepare to show their talent at their upcoming show at Curzon Ashton on December 14, where the next generation of fighters will dance the ring.

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