What a shot. In more ways than one.
Josh Taylor delivers a crunching blow into the body of Ryan Martin in their World Boxing Super Series quarter-final at the back end of 2018.
And the punch, captured to perfection by ace photographer, Jennifer Charlton has been immortalised on canvas and is now raising money for the Knives Down Gloves Up campaign.
World champion Josh proudly shows off the picture above.
For those of you (unfortunate) folk who are regulars to this site, the chances are the photos you see will either be from Jen, or my long-time ‘partner in crime’ Tom Collins or the Matchroom lads, Ed Mulholland and Mark Robinson.
While there is no shortage of female boxers, especially in the amateur game, there are hardly millions of women involved boxing, especially in the media.
There are a number of figures on the North-East amateur scene, like Amanda Coulson, Laura Sargeant, Tracey Saunders and Diane Winspear to name just four, but you don’t see a lot in the professional sport.
Jen, a Northumberland girl now based in Scotland, has produced some memorable pictures from fights involving Liam Conroy, Glenn Foot, Lewis Ritson and Tommy Ward and many more.
Now, she is putting one of her best photos to good use in a campaign she feels strongly about.
“I know gyms have had to close because of the corona virus,” said the photographer, who is based in Duns in the Scottish Borders . “But I think the Knives Down Gloves Up message still remains as important as ever.
“Knife crime is shocking and boxing can provide the way to get people off the streets and give them the right direction in life.
“Josh is very proud to be part of the campaign and I’m thrilled he’s supported this.
“He is such a great role model for people.
“It’s one of both Josh’s and my favourite images and we are delighted to be putting it to good use.”
Raffle tickets are £5 each to try to make the raffle affordable to as many people as possible.
All ticket sales go to Knives Down Gloves Up. Details are on the Jennifer Charlton Photography Facebook page and Instagram or email jc.photography@outlook.com to enter.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
