They are the ONE, there is no other way to describe it.
Birtley are leading the way in the latest amateur ratings published by the sport’s ‘Bible’, Boxing News.
The Durham club have the number one boxer in FOUR weight divisions in the English rankings.
Punch-lines reported recently at how highly placed their boxers were at European and Four Nation levels.
Now, the weekly magazine has rated the boxers in England.
Not surprisingly, the elite trio of Calum French, Luke McCormack and Pat McCormack (pictured below) are at the summit at lightweight, light-welter and welterweight.
And Ben Rees (pictured above) tops the pile at light-heavyweight following an incredible season.
Birtley also have two number twos, both in categories where they have the top dog, with Tom Hodgson behind Calum at lightweight and Cyrus Pattinson second to Pat at welter.
That’s not all, Jake Slater is six at lightweight and Isaac Milburn is five at light-welter.
The Tyne, Tees & Wear association is handsomely represented in the England ratings, and not just through the Birtley boys.
Michael Webster, from Empire, is at four at heavyweight while East Durham’s Adam Gair is at three at cruiserweight.
Sunderland’s Travis Waters is rated 10th at welter with Muzzy Fuyana fifth at flyweight and Sunderland’s Kiaran Macdonald (pictured) second at light-fly, where Andrew Winter, from Shildon, is sixth.
Well done to all the boxers.
Boxing News is on sale from today, priced £3.99
Words: Roy Kelly
