Third National title for Raza

Raza Hamza, Sports Student at Hopwood Hall College has recently won his third National Boxing title

Raza Hamza, Sports Student at Hopwood Hall College has recently won his third National Boxing title.

Sports student Raza Hamza secured the British Championship title for the second time last month when he competed in the NACYP (National Association of Clubs for Young People). His first was the English Junior ABAE (Amateur Boxing Association of England).

The Hopwood Hall College Boxing Academy star participated in the Senior Class ‘C’ Final which was held in London and is the most prestigious class to win. The Final is always well supported and a host of celebrities and dignitaries attended the evenings boxing including Frank Bruno, Ricky Hatton and the ‘who’s who’ of the Amateur Boxing Association.

Raza went into the contest the favourite to take the British Title but found his opponent (Calum Smith – London) a tough nut to crack; he found himself one point down after the opening round after good work to his body by his plucky opponent.

Going into the second round, Raza needed to chase the contest and started at a blistering pace trying to unsettle his opponent. Doubling up with a quality lead hand to the head and a rocking right cross to the head of his opponent, he managed to pull the contest back to level scoring 2-2.

In the third round both opponents tried to counter each other using some clever boxing but unfortunately they cancelled each other out finishing the round again level on points 2-2.

The fourth and final round was a cracker with both boxers giving their all to take the British Title. Raza had the edge on fitness and conditioning, and his tenacity to win found an extra point to take the decision by a narrow margin of only one point 3-2.

Raza’s tutor Jimmy Barker is full of praise for him, “Young Raza has had an excellent year at the College achieving an overall Merit grades in his Sports Studies and taking his second national title. Raza is a pleasure to train; his dedication inspires all the boxing academy students. He has been a credit to the College with his Sporting and academic achievements.”

Raza was also awarded the ‘Best Boxer’ of the evening award and now looks certain to represent Young England at the World Championships later this year.