Acocks Green hit the Tri-Nations jackpot!
Golden trio…champions Brayden Dyer, Matty Williams and Walla Ali
THE champagne corks are probably still popping at Acocks Green ABC after the club bagged a staggering three Tri-Nations titles.
As well as being crowned champions of England, Scotland and Wales, the three fighters have also come out tops in this season’s major national competitions.
Craig Storer, boss of the Birmingham gym, has nurtured some real talent among the 25 strong squad of carded boxers.
Max McCracken, professional coach at the club, said: “I’ve never known a club that has taken all the titles. It’s a credit to Craig Storer and his perseverance. The gym is really coming on, the amateurs are coming through. The place is really achieving.”
The Tri-Nations success of super-heavy sensation Matty Williams in Cardiff last weekend has already been reported. But Acocks Green also struck gold through Brayden Dyer and Walla Ali.
Brayden, aged 16, oozed class as he beat multi-titled Welsh boxer Cole Pikulski in the semi-finals of the 52 kilos junior tournament. He then took the top prize by outpointing Scotland’s Ruben Clarkson.
That capped a memorable season for Brayden whose dad Anthony is an Acocks Green coach. He’s won the NAGBC championships, been crowned Junior ABA champ and is now a Tri-Nations kingpin.
In all, Brayden has lost just six of 47 bouts.
“He’s a class act,” McCracken acknowledged. “He seems to be picking up titles for fun.”
Walla, a 21-year-old of Yemen origin like Birmingham boxing royalty the Yafai brothers, triumphed at 48 kilos.
She took two rounds to stop Darya Oxten in the final, the Scot taking three counts on the way.
Walla, who has won 14 of 15 contests, has also captured the NAGBC and ABA titles.
“She’s a real handful,” said McCracken, “and now number one in Britain. She’s so strong and solid, which seems to be the way fighters from the Yemen are made. She reminds me of the Yafais. There must be something in the water over there!”
Acocks Green ABC truly showed what it’s all about at the Tri-Nations. I hope the club has a large trophy cabinet because that’s just the start.