Magic gears for success at Amateur Championships

Carenage-based Magic Boxing Gym has swept the National Amateur Boxing Championship for four years, and head coach Demetri Stroude believes his team will once again emerge winner of the national title, as according to him, his team has “plenty firepower”.

Speaking at a workout session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Stroude revealed that ‘Team Magic’ will produce 19 boxers for the championship, which runs from January 30 to February 3.

Having captured the ‘Best Team’, ‘Overall Champion’, ‘Most Outstanding Female Boxer’ and ‘Coach of the Year’ in recent times, Magic aims to continue its winning streak.

The gym has also succeeded regionally at the Caribbean amateur Boxing Tournament in 2008 with Dilano Clarke and Craig George taking gold and silver, respectively, in their weight divisions.

Leading the female boxers will be 2012 national lightweight champion Ingle Charles. 

Charles, a former kickboxer, is well known for her strength, stamina and skills in the ring. 

After she impressed spectators and officials during her bouts, most will expect Charles to give another solid performance.

The team of Magic boxers is a mixture of both seasoned and unfamiliar faces, some of whom will be stepping into the competitive ring for the first time.

With three-hour practice sessions being held up to five times a week, assistant coach at Magic Boxing Gym, Dominic Dally, works continuously alongside coach Stroude, while the latter’s wife and manager, Sham Stroude handles the bookkeeping.

The gym currently trains 25 athletes who alternate sessions at the national stadium and under the Carenage garage. 

Stroude hopes that his gym’s success will encourage the relevant authorities to aide in securing a proper training facility for his boxers.

​