IT’S a moment so many people in amateur boxing have spent so many months waiting for; the dates for championships in 2021 have come in. After a punishing lockdown, amateur boxing training indoors has restarted with limited padwork coming back. The next step is to bring back competition, providing the UK government’s current roadmap out of the pandemic does not change.
A national championships schedule for England has been drawn up following consultation with England Boxing’s regional representatives and a selection of coaches and officials, as well as lengthy discussions between the England Boxing’s championship sub-committee and board.
The schedule is as follows: England Boxing National Schools Championships 2021 (semi-finals and finals) – September 25-26.
England Boxing National Youth Championships and Youth Development Championships 2021 (quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals) – October 15, 16 and 17.
England Boxing National Junior Championships and Junior Development Championships 2021 (semi-finals and finals) – November 20-21.
England Boxing National Amateur Championships 2021 (pre quarter-finals) – November 27 or 28 (to be confirmed).
England Boxing National Amateur Championships and Senior Development Championships 2021 (quarter-finals and semi-finals) – December 4-5.
England Boxing National Amateur Championships and Senior Development Championships 2021 (finals days) – December 11-12.
“We’re delighted to be able to rearrange each of the national championships, which will hopefully end the year on a high after a difficult previous 18 months or so,” said competitions and events manager Lynsey Lockey. “After the frustrating lack of activity we have all had to deal with, to be talking about dates for competitions to be up and running again is really exciting – and I’m sure there will be some fantastic boxing, providing the government give us the green light for everything to go ahead.
“Because we are having to squeeze what would normally be held over the course of the best part of a year into just four months – so that boxers, rightly, have the necessary time to prepare correctly after the enforced, extended break from competition – we have had to make sacrifices in certain circumstances in order to be able to make it happen.
“Due to time scales, we have merged the Development competitions with their respective National Championships (Senior, Youth and Junior) and regrettably will not be able to host the England Boxing Women’s Winter Box Cup this year.
“But in an exceptional year because of Covid-19, this was the most viable solution in the time slot available to get all five national championships in and give everyone at all levels the chance to box for a national title. We have done everything we can to get competitions on again and feel it is better to have some of what is possible in a ‘normal’ year, rather than nothing at all.
“We wish everyone the best of luck in their training for competitions and, Coronavirus-permitting, look forward to seeing lots of familiar boxers and coaches back where they belong – in the ring competing – come the autumn.”
The venues for the competitions will be announced in due course. The intention is to return the traditional schedule in 2022, meaning that all age groups will see two national championships in the same season 2021-22 season.
Boxing Scotland have also announced an eventual return to competition.
August 21 we will see Scotland’s grassroots Schools and Junior boxers compete again for the first time in more than 14 months. This will be in a prestigious, one-off, open class pilot event for School and Junior boxers. The event, a full day of competitive boxing, will be held at Boxing Scotland’s National High-Performance Centre.
The details all depend on the Scottish government’s roadmap and current Covid direction staying on track.
Boxing Scotland have also confirmed dates for their 2021/2022 championships. These are:
Boxing Scotland National School and Junior championships: Preliminary rounds – September 18-19; Semi-finals and finals – September 25-26.
Boxing Scotland National Intermediate Championships 2021: October 16-17.
Boxing Scotland National Novice Championships: Preliminary rounds – February 5-6 2022; Semi-finals and finals February 12-13 2022.
Boxing Scotland National Elite and Youth Championships: Preliminary rounds – March 19-20 2022; Semi-finals – March 26-27 to include Youth finals; Elite Finals – April 9 2022.