The competitors, from Wellington Amateur Boxing Club, put in some brilliant performances to get the best of their US counterparts
(L-R) Nathan Thompson, Bobby Lloyd Thompson, Javid Hossini, Michael Debnath, Galleye Diagne, and Blake Reay, from Wellington Amateur Boxing Club in Middlesbrough(Image: Wellington ABC)
Four young fighters represented a North East boxing club against American opponents at a special event in Orlando, Florida. The competitors, from Wellington Amateur Boxing Club, put in some brilliant performances to get the best of their US counterparts.
The Middlesbrough-based gym, which is operated by Michael Debnath and John Pearce, was able to give their boxers a once in a lifetime opportunity. Michael, 44, through tireless fundraising, and with some of his own money, organised the trip to the USA, taking along four fighters to take on US opponents in exhibition matches.
Javid Hossini, 16, Bobby Lloyd Thompson, 12, Blake Reay, 21, and Galleye Diagne, 19, all travelled stateside for their bouts, while also enjoying some time at the theme parks which the area is known for. Michael has shared his pride at how they performed, winning three of their four fights, and explained the process of what it took to get there.
He said: “A couple of years ago, I was on holiday in Orlando, and I decided then that I would bring the lads over here to fight, and give them a special experience. We’ve done a lot of fundraising to make this happen, doing charity nights for the local community, and getting support from local communities which we’re massively grateful for.
“I have trained out there before when I was fighting, and it’s a very different place, but there are some great boxing gyms. They want us to come back in July, so we’re going to see if we can make that happen, and I also want to take them to other places around the world to box too.
Blake Reay (top left), Javid Hossini (top right), Bobby Lloyd Thompson (bottom left), Gallaye Diagne (bottom right), from Wellington Amateur Boxing Club in Middlesbrough(Image: Wellington ABC)
“We are based in a poverty-stricken area so this felt like more than boxing for me, it was a full experience, as some of them had never left the country. We couldn’t have done it without those that have helped us, as it cost around £24,000, and Bobby’s dad Nathan helped to make sure everything went smoothly when we were there too.”
Michael has also expressed his thanks to local companies who have helped financially, including: MD Joiners & Builders, Universal Windows, Howdons, CLS Contractors, Mark Lowe Car Sales, SNS Windows and Doors, and the Parkway Pub, with many others also contributing.
He added: “Seeing the smiles on the faces of the lads who got to go has been the best thing, and that’s what makes it all worth it for me and John. We are always putting more money in to be able to continue with this, and help lads who are struggling to change their lives, and have a positive impact through boxing, which will always be our mission.”
For updates on Wellington ABC, and to see more about the work that the boxing gym is doing in the community, visit the group’s Facebook page here, or go to its Instagram account here.
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