Young boxer fights for glory across country

A promising young boxer is travelling the length and breadth of the country in pursuit of glory and silverware.
Sixteen-year-old Liam Barnes, from Congleton, has been described by his coach at Macclesfield Boys’ Boxing Club as one of the “hardest working” boxers in the gym.
His dedication to the sport at an early age has earned the support of his coaching team, who are travelling with him to tournaments as far afield as Devon and Scotland in his quest for boxing honours.
One of Liam’s most memorable triumphs came north of the border recently when he beat a two-time Scottish champion to lift the Robert Burns Box Cup in Dumfries.
Liam, who is in the sixth form at Congleton’s Eaton Bank Academy, defeated John McGhee from Motherwell’s Forgewood ABC in the final over three rounds.
The club’s report of the contest speaks for itself: “Liam was straight to work, firing from his southpaw stance to catch his opponent off guard and rack up some quality points.
“Round two and John had realised he’d lost the first and was trying his best to pull it back, but Liam had by now got his measure. He was catching with nice combinations; John had no choice but to try and spoil Liam’s work and was holding at times.
“Round three and it was getting really scrappy as John was now desperate to try and pull something out of the bag, but Liam was on fire and carried on with some great shots. Liam was awarded the decision with a unanimous win!”
The club added: “We were overjoyed having stepped into the lion’s den and come out triumphant. Liam was over the moon and received a cracking belt to add to the silverware he has already amassed over the years. Liam trains relentlessly and will box anywhere, against anyone, even when the odds are stacked against him.”
The week before his success in Scotland, Liam was competing in the Barum Box Cup in the Devon resort of Ilfracombe, and last weekend he was at the Home Counties Box Cup in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Liam’s coach Kevin Bradbury said: “The Robert Burns Box Cup is such a prestigious belt and Liam thoroughly deserved his win in Scotland. He’s one of the hardest working boxers in the gym, so we’re happy to travel anywhere so he can compete.
“He’s still a boy boxer, but in a few years, when he’s even stronger, he’ll have even more potential.”
Liam’s dad Tom Barnes, a coach at the Macclesfield club, said: “Liam is such a hard worker in the gym and his family is so proud of him.”
Mr Bradbury added: “With Box Cup tournaments there’s a lot of waiting around for the bouts throughout the day, but the wait is always worth it because Liam gives so much when he is competing.”
Box Cup tournaments are designed to develop junior grassroots boxers. Usually held over two or three days, competition is staged in multiple rings, where professional scouts may be on the lookout for tomorrow’s boxing stars.
(Photo: Macclesfield Boys’ Boxing Club).