Boxing Punchlines: Bulkington ABC
At the Hull Box Cup…Brendan Norman, Alfie Birks, Dave Birks, Tom Gaskin, Franke Waugh, Tom Powell
Over the years, Bulkington has produced a stream of fine fighters, both amateur and pro. DEREK FITZPATRICK speaks to coach Franke Waugh about the club’s ethos.
When was your club founded and by whom?
I don’t know when it was originally founded, but it was re opened by Stuart Tidman in 1991 as Bulkington Sports and Social ABC. It taken over by Brendan Norman in 2017 after the passing of Stuart and re branded as Bulkington Boxing Club.
Do you know who the first boxer was to represent your club?
From the very start, no. As Bulkington Boxing Club it would have been Connor Robson.
Your club has produced so many elite standard boxers, tell me about a few stand-out names?
Connor Robson…first to represent the club
Connor Robson was school boy champion in 2006. Neil Tidman, Stuart’s son, won the NAGBC title in the amateurs and took the Midlands title as a pro. More recently, people like Macauley Owen and River Wilson-Bent represented the club as amateurs and are both now doing well in the paid ranks.
Names to look out for in the future?
In the amateurs, three of our schools boxers just won gold at the Hull Box Cup. Tom Gaskin, Alfie Birks and Charlie Williams all certainly have bright futures ahead of them.
In the pros, Callum Singh is currently 2-0 and will be pushing for titles in the near future.
Bulkington pro River Wilson Bent
Have many turned over to the professional ranks?
We currently have two professionals in the gym, River Wilson-Bent and Callum Singh.
Has boxing changed much in your time in the sport?
Yes. There’s the introduction of box cups up and down the country and around the world. I think they give the boxers great experience and memories for life.
Macauley Owen, Brandon Pinnock, Franke Waugh, Oliver Knight
Best advice you could give or have been given in the sports?
Stay focused on your own club and boxers. Always keep learning and moving forward. Usain Bolt didn’t win his races by looking behind him.
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