SANDYGATE boxers are back in the ring ready for another season but the campaign began with an evening to salute last year’s big hitters.

The club, the oldest boxing establishment in East Lancashire, held the annual prize night at the Bistro Room at Burnley’s Mechanics Theatre.

Up and Coming Talent awards went to unbeaten Cliviger prospect Bram Richmond, 12, and Unity’s Sam Walsh, 13.

Stoops Estates’ North West Champion, Rio Lynch, 12, picked up ‘Bout of the Year’ for his thrilling contest against Birmingham’s C Smith while Senior Bout of Year went to Sabden’s Reece Farnhill following the 17-year-old’s cracking contest against Cumbrian D.Moore.

Most Improved Junior went to Harvey Fletcher, 13, - it was the second time the Unity Year Nine pupil has picked up the accolade.

Most Improved Senior was Pike Hill’s Connor Barrow, 18.

The Howard Rigg Boxer of the Year was awarded to England Novice Champion Brendan Collins, 16, after such a fantastic season which saw him get invited to train with the England Junior Team.

Reece Farnhill collected the Senior Boxer of The Year title.

The Bob Rosbotham Trophy was awarded to the boxer from the club who shows the fabled ‘Sandygate Spirit’ in and out of the ring and was given to Reece Farnhill who has made such a great impact since joining the Hargreaves Street stable.

The club would like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, coaches and boxers who have helped in producing last seasons tally of One National Champion and Seven North West Regional Champions.

Not one for starting the season slowly, the popular Burnley club has already started collecting this season’s titles with Blessed Trinity’s Year 10 pupil James Danson, 14, collecting the North West Novice Title at 63kg and making it to the last four in England at his weight.

He beat the Midlands’ champion Ellis Adcock of Aston ABC in the quarter finals then narrowly missing out against last year’s England Champion Dontai Dixon from Manor ABC from Yorkshire in the semi finals.

Also boxing recently, Bram Richmond kept his unbeaten record intact when he out pointed, out muscled and out classed Sale West’s Derek Brown on there home show.

n Anyone interested in donning the gloves can contact the club on 07855 505719 for details or visit the club website www.sandygateabc.com