Welshpool’s ‘Calzaghe’ bids for National glory

Warren Sinden (right) steps into the boxing ring tonight (Friday) for the fight of his life and his father, Mike, will be right behind him.

 

Welshpool’s very own ‘Calzaghes’ will be looking to clinch the Welsh Amateur Boxing Championship at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff in front of the BBC Wales cameras, and victory could be the stepping stone to a big career in the sport.

 

The 21 year-old, who studies at Central Lancashire University in Preston, has battled the odds to reach the final of the most prestigious amateur boxing championship in the country. He will now go toe to toe with Church Palace ABC fighter Ian Williams, for what promises to be a momentous sporting occasion.

 

“I am very confident,” Warren told mywelshpool last night. “Training has gone well and I know what I’m up against because I have watched him box on video.”

 

Few gave Warren much chance of reaching this far. His stunning semi-final victory over Gilfach Goch fighter Morgan Jones sent shockwaves through the sport. A place in the full Welsh boxing team is now at stake tonight.

 

Warren added: “It is going to be a big night for me. A win will put me into a whole new level of boxing. I will be on the Welsh squad for any national tournaments with the four nations first up. Last year, the Welsh squad went to Thailand for a training camp, so hopefully I will get this chance. Before the quarter-final I had a warm-up fight in Chester and beat the finalist from last year at this weight class. I am feeling very good.”

Backing Warren all the way will be his father Mike who has run the Welshpool Boxing Club for years. Warren says his father is his “idol” and it has drawn comparisons to the relationship between coach, Enzo Calzaghe and his Welsh World Champion son, Joe.

 

Dozens are making their way down to Cardiff to watch, and Warren said he will do his best to make their journey worthwhile.

The bout will be screened on BBC2 Wales on Saturday at 11.25pm.