Beeston boxing promoter Tristan Haynes is anticipating an “exciting and exhilarating” show next Saturday as two teenage fighters compete for the Haynes Promotions title belt with Kalem Pickles making his first title defence.
“I won the light heavyweight belt in September,” said Pickles, 19, whose ambition is to become “the next world champion from Leeds but for now I need to show that I can defend my belt.” Pickles will meet Harvey Bedford from Knottingley.
“Harvey and Kalem are young,” said Haynes, “but both are experienced and always put on an exciting and enthusiastic performance which showcases techniques learned and proves how physically and mentally fit they are. Those attending are always vocal in support and enjoy a quite aggressive punch-up. But it’s all good-natured with boxers chatting as friends straight after the bout.”
“Boxing on Tristan’s shows helps us gain valuable experience against other young boxers like me who see their future in the professional ranks” explained Pickles. “We have to be disciplined while preparing, making weight and selling tickets just like professionals.”
Opponent Harvey Bedford also wants to be a professional boxer. “I’ve been training for ten years, and my ambition is to join the Army and get into their boxing team.”
Seventeen-year-old Gracjan Krupski is also boxing on the show. Krupski has trained at MSA in Beeston for six years building up a successful record in Thai boxing and has been honing his boxing technique for the past year. He will also face an opponent from Wakefield, Nathan Wilson six years his senior.
Haynes has arranged for Middleton fighter sixteen-year-old Rawa Rashid who trains at Leeds Martial Arts in Morley to fight an opponent who is also sixteen, Ibrahim Iddis of Bradford’s Solid Impact Gym.
“I’ve had one MMA bout, but this is my first scored boxing match,” said Rashid. “I’ve not been training for long but I’m looking forward to showing what I’m made of as I meet a Bradford lad who comes with a quality reputation.”
Haynes, 31, has organised up to four annual shows since 2021 “to provide local boxers with the chance to demonstrate how good they can be and particularly give younger fighters aiming to box professionally the challenging bouts needed.”
The Christmas Chaos Fight Night takes place on Saturday (14 December 2024) at Leeds Anglers Club, LS9 7TB. Doors open at 5pm with the first fight at 6pm.
This post was written by James Bovington
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