Three South Leeds fighters are proud to have received awards at Haynes and Miller Boxing, and which reflect the commitment to training and the progress made in boxing bouts of heavyweights Middleton’s Lewis MacMillan, Hunslet’s Leighton Campbell along with Danny Weston also from Middleton. All three are trained by Tristan Haynes and Anthony Miller at Beeston’s MSA gym.
Window manufacturer MacMillan, 27, is Fighter of the Year for 2025. “It’s an honour. I started boxing with Tristan and Anthony two years ago coming from a rugby background and just wanting to improve my fitness. I was soon competing and have now won three of my five bouts, with a draw and a loss. I need to keep active. The training helps us all take out frustrations on those bags. Boxing is great for mental health. I feel so proud when I win but the strong friendships developed even with opponents are life-enhancing.”
Delivery driver Weston, 36, has been boxing for a year at 80kg. “This sport has helped me improve mentally and physically and be a better, more positive role model for my three children. I’m delighted to have made rapid progress and won my three bouts this year. I’m committed to the sport and plan to get some stoppage finishes in 2026 hopefully on a range of different local shows.”
Bank worker Campbell shares the ‘most improved’ fighter award with Weston. “Like my cousin Lewis I came to boxing from rugby. We’re coached twice a week by Tristan and Anthony for a couple of hours with on average fifteen training each session. I’ve won three bouts including two by stoppage. It’s encouraging to see hard work recognised with these awards as we prepare for a busy 2026.”
Rawa Rashid, 17, is delighted at winning the 75kg novice title boxing belt on 2025’s last Haynes show at The Angler’s in Burmantofts. His fight was described as “an explosive display of boxing talent showcasing all the skills practised.”
“I now train at AVT in Morley,” explained Leeds College of Building student Rashid. “I won my first boxing bout on Haynes in December 2024. I train very hard at AVT. I mix with top amateurs such as Mason Yarrow and Harry Edwards. They’re tough, resilient, highly skilled. There’s lots of young fighters there whose ambition is combat sports success. For now, I’m enjoying both boxing and MMA.”
“Everyone was impressed with Rawa and his opponent Kieran MacMillan who also showed great heart,” said Tristan Haynes. “The sort of courageous, committed keen young fighters our shows promote. Both boxers had trained intensively and proved it beyond doubt. We’re about giving opportunities to home grown talent like award winners Lewis, Danny and Leighton to meet talented fighters from other local clubs. Our shows are always sell-outs proving just how entertaining, courageous and skilful our boxers are.”
If interested in training with Haynes and Miller or attending the next show likely to be in the spring contact Tristan Haynes on Facebook or e-mail thpaintersanddecorators@gmail.com. The gym is in Sugar Mills Business Park LS11 7HL.
This post was written by James Bovington
Main photo (L-R): Leighton Campbell, Lewis Macmillan, Danny Weston
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