Still a week to go before the biggest night of the year for North-East boxing, but before then there is one big occasion to enjoy and be a part of.
The 2019 North-East Boxing Awards take place this Sunday at the Gateshead Hilton in the shadow of the Tyne Bridge.
This event is hosted by the brilliant British Boxing Blog and should be a great occasion.
Last year’s ceremony was a beauty and featured some very notable and worthy winners, including Lewis Ritson (best boxer), Joe Maphosa (prospect), Neil Fannan (coach), Jon Lewis Dickinson (lifetime achievement), Phil Jeffries (promoter) and Ron Kearney (referee).
If punch-lines has missed anyone, our sincere apologies.
The last 12 months have been a blast, with the region’s big four all holding titles, Tommy Ward (pictured) producing the highlight of the year with a convincing win over Jesse Hernandez to win the vacant NABA-USA super-bantamweight crown in Kansas, while Savannah Marshall and Lewis Ritson have won WBA titles and Josh Kelly has successfully defended his.
On the subject of success for Thomases, Thomas Essomba produced a stunning win to end Sean McGoldrick’s unbeaten record by taking the World Boxing Association’s vacant continental bantam title.
Those boxers are just the tip of the iceberg, there has been much, much more.
To see who wins what, get yourself there on Sunday.
Tickets are a steal at a fiver and you get a bit of scran for your money as well as being part of a celebration of North-East boxing.
Doors open at the Hilton at noon, food is 12.30, awards 1.30 with the final bell at 3pm.
Don’t miss it.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
