What is success in amateur boxing?
Where can amateur success lead you?
In boxing's history, success has been defined by money and world titles.
Professional boxing remembers those who went from rags to riches, dared to be great and succeeded.
History is written by the victors after all. Names like Anthony Joshua, Floyd Mayweather and Lennox Lewis are just a few that people first think of due to their accolades.
Those three specifically all had something in common separate from their professional career, they all competed in the amateurs.
Lewis and Joshua are two names that achieved great things in the amateur sport representing Canada and Great Britain at the Olympics, both achieving Olympic gold.
Success is often defined by achievements in sports but what is it and what does it take to get there? How does one go about reaching the pinnacle of the sport? Derrick Osadolor and Alfie Woods are two boxers who have achieved what many amateurs desire. Ross Clark is an amateur boxing coach who has been in the sport for the past 18 years.
Derrick Osadolor
Derrick Osadolor is a Nigerian-British heavyweight amateur, who has competed 18 times since 2021 out of Heart of Portsmouth Boxing Club.
Derrick won the 2024 national championship final in April but how did he get there? Is this considered success?
To achieve requires dedication and time. Boxers must submit themselves to the sport and make it a lifestyle. It’s not just hard work in the gym that counts but the work done outside, the running, the diets, and the studying of the sport to keep improving and get every edge on opponents.
Resilience is a key factor that boxers must have to succeed at making boxing their lifestyle.
“Mental strength is key... for example, I know I have to get up for my 6am runs, I can’t stay in bed just because its comfortable and warm."
Derrick Osadolor also had his struggles with injuries as he dislocated his shoulder. Despite the injury, Osadolor did not let it keep him out the gym even finding positives out of his circumstances as they lead him to develop his overall game even stronger.
“I had my arm in a sling and would just hit the bag in southpaw working on my right hand as my leading jab. It helped me develop to become a switch-hitter.”
Success is also all about what you sacrifice. Former Olympian turned professional boxer, Ben Whitaker, revealed he missed his grandmother’s funeral to attend an Olympic training session. Those willing to exclude themselves from birthdays, family functions and even funerals are the athletes who will see the improvement and success in the gym and ring.
Although it appears that a successful boxer is defined by what they win, Osadolor believes that it only serves purpose for acknowledging his progess rather than defining his success.
"For me, being successful as a boxer means to be 1% better everyday. Of course I'm in this game to make money when I go onto professionals but in the amateurs I care more about my development of skills than belts."
Alfie Woods
Alfie Woods, aged 21, is a Nigerian-British amateur boxer, boxing out of CNC Christchurch Boxing Club.
Woods has been “in and around the gym coming up to sixteen years.”
Having started to box at 5 years old, Alfie has amassed 31 amateur bouts during his amateur tenure so far having won the national championships in 2022. But what does this mean to him?
Having the correct team of coaches is important to achieve as they work as a support system throughout throughout a boxer's development and journey.
Woods is mainly coached by his father Jon Woods to whom he attributes much of his success.
“First and foremost, he has always been behind my success and growth as a pugilist.”
Former professional boxer turned coach, Larry Ekundayo is also a pillar of his growth in the sport as he has worked alongside Woods.
Ekundayo’s meticulous planning and strategy has ensured that Woods is prepared appropriately every time he steps in the ring, including his run of bouts in 2022 leading up to winning the championships.
“Every training drill he [Ekundayo] does with me is intentional. It’s always been the ruthless execution of fundamentals.”
Woods found that once he won the nationals, he had built up an idea of where his success may take him and how it would make him feel though it didn’t quite meet expectation.
“I was looking forward to winning something, but it was weird… you think everything will change but it doesn’t. It kind of lead to a depressive state. I was just looking for what’s next rather than celebrating.”
Woods had aspired to potentially become an Olympian, as the opportunity to represent his nation was a focal point for his success, but felt that he was overlooked.
“England boxing have a specific style… I didn’t match their criteria with my style of boxing and so I didn’t really get where I wanted.”
Ross Clark
A Coaches role in boxing is more than being just a trainer. It encompasses father-like responsibilities as a coach must guide and care for their boxers.
Ross Clark is a qualified boxing coach at Lawrence Boxing Club in Lymington.
For a coach to have success, they have to establish a tactical vision that is congruent with the style of boxing that you want to teach.
“I have my preferences in methods that I want all my boxers to follow, It makes the work outside the ring easier.”
Although coaches may find that their boxers have established a style that doesn’t match their own which can lead to difficulties in finding a successful formula in the ring.
“It is important for a coach to not castrate their boxers and keep them on a leash, they have to be allowed to express themselves in the ring the way they want to but it is the coaches job to adapt and encourage corrections where possible”
To create a successful boxer, it’s essential that a coach discourages bad habits out of boxers whether that be social habits such as drinking and smoking or poor technical habits in the ring.
Guide to success infograph created by Benji Sampson
Guide to success infograph created by Benji Sampson
For many, success provides options. Most go on to the professional ranks whilst other seek Olympic accolades.
For Osadolor, though he sets his eyes on making money, it appears that the amateurs still hold his desires.
“A bit more experience, hopefully international. I think aim for the commonwealth games and then turn over pro.”
As for Alfie, due to his current hand injury, he doesn’t see much left in the amateurs for him, though he would have wished for a chance at more, he feels the time will be right to make the switch soon.
“it’s time to work on my professional career, my style is more suited to the professional game which I think most people can see.”
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