For the University students who find themselves involved in the world of boxing, there is no greater competition than the BUCS Championship, and that rush of adrenaline flowing through you once the deadly blow has been landed, guaranteeing you victory.
Despite boxing being one of the most challenging sports in several aspects, causing constant uncertainty and doubt even to the most complete athletes, it still makes those associated with the sport feel a sense of amusement in different ways.
Leeds Beckett and it’s boxing club athletes are one of the few Universities that have done themselves proud especially over the last two years as they’ve accumulated a total of eight silver and gold medals between all the fighters involved in the competition.
Amongst those to win Gold in the 2023 Bucs Championship, is one of the Leeds Beckett fighters and coach Zahraan Suleman who gained victory in style. “So I won the semi-final and I didn’t even feel excited, I was like, I’ve got to do this again tomorrow. And the lad I fought in the final was about, a good half a foot taller than me, I was terrified, but I got in the ring and landed one punch and I just knew the fight was mine.
“The thing is with boxing, you always tell yourself you’re going to win, you’re going to smash it. But when you get there, even though I’ve done it for 10 years, it still feels like it’s my first time.” He explained.
No time to rest
Many years filled with hard work and resilience are what allowed Zahraan to live those experiences and take the gold medal home. However, understanding just how much effort is put in by these athletes even at the University stage highlights the mindset required to face your obstacles even though victories are never promised.
“I think I sacrificed a lot of training for that. I didn’t go home for Christmas or anything, I just stayed there training. I was just beating around the lads as well, just keeping each other in check, making sure we were all running, training, eating right.
“But then when you get there, it’s just a laugh really, you just have a laugh all day and then you fight, and then you just have a laugh about the fight. Whatever happens, happens and I won gold, so it was a good weekend.” Added Zahraan.
Club Captain Will Gillies is another fighter who has won a few medals in this competition, earning a bronze medal last year and claiming gold in the 2021/22 season. But not without having his fair share of struggles that he needed to overcome, mainly during the pandemic.
“Yeah, through Covid I struggled, which is why I’m happy I came here, because I kind of lost love for boxing, and then came back to Uni and fell in love with it again.
“But boxing’s just high and low, so when I got to some of my biggest fights and stuff and I’ve lost, it’s like 50% of the people there are over the moon, and then the other 50% are in the dirt, you know what I mean.” Said Gillies.
A strong bond among the team and possible pathways
With the team set to travel to Portsmouth for this year’s championship which takes place in February, they’ll be hoping to end the competition with as many medallists as possible. Gillies mentions the strong bond and desire to push each other within the team which could play a part in the team on the squad’s success.
“Well, the team’s proper close this year and I’ve tried to build more as a captain, more team building and things like that in the team. Obviously, we train together and spar together, so we do push each other.
“Lewis has caught me with some big shots, I’ve caught him, so there’s just that camaraderie in that. So yeah, this year, we’re just going to push on and support each other as always, and hopefully get as many goals as possible, to be honest with you.” Gillies explained.
Without a doubt, the talent pool across the sport is at an all-time high and these current boxers along with their achievements are proof of that.
Coach Shairb Mohammed has been involved in boxing for many years and is an amateur boxing coach who can offer these fighters a different pathway should they choose to venture away from the professional side.
“I’m already an amateur boxing coach myself, so we do have the amateur pathway, which is the National Development Championship, ABA Championship and hopefully going to the Olympic boxing team. And that’s where the amateur route works, the professional route If they want to do so, they can feel free to do so.
Mohammed also has the privilege of following the development of all these fighters, many of whom have never boxed before joining the club.
“It’s really good being a coach because you get to see the fighters develop, especially at university where you get a lot of people who’ve never boxed before.
“Definitely good to work with as many people as possible, because with all sports you can be inclusive, don’t you? So, you know, for a sport like boxing it’s probably not seen as something that’s inclusive. People probably think, ohh we’ve got to be working class, we’ve got to be rough to do it. It’s not like that at all, anybody can come and do it, so it’s good to do that.” He explained.
