Around 2 and a half years ago, a small amateur boxing gymnasium in Wilson Road, Springbourne, Bournemouth in Dorset opened its doors to children & youths within the local community and ever since that time it has continued to grow from strength to strength
Raven Chapman (Photo: Arena)
Arena Amateur Boxing Club has already seen club members claim 4 national titles at junior and senior levels, in only its first 2 competitive seasons and is soon to see its first boxer in an England vest, when 22 year old club member Raven Chapman makes her international debut next month, representing England as a featherweight in the European elite championships in Bulgaria.
Fresh from her Elite title winning success in Liverpool back in May, over England’s number 3 seed Hatty Nylon (Hebdon Bridge BC), Raven has continued to work hard to earn this opportunity and currently splits her time between her boxing training and her university course in Wembley.
Club Chairman & former Bournemouth Boxing coach Andy Foote has witnessed the rapid success of Arena Amateur Boxing Club within such a short period of time and is amazed by the success and the great work the club does within the local area.
“Arena ABC is proud of what Raven has achieved and we look forward to what will surely be a long successful international career for Raven! Her success echoes the other numerous achievements from the other boxers at Arena and will only go on to inspire all the other up and coming Arena students.
“A special thank you must also go out to the club’s purely volunteer coaches whose passion, dedication and countless hours coaching & cornering at the many boxing events Arena boxers have participated in throughout the UK, have seen the club’s training sessions grow to supersede full capacity.”
“Following the Europeans, Raven’s next realistic goal is the Commonwealth games in Brisbane, Australia 2018, then fingers crossed, on to the Tokyo Olympics.
To achieve her goals, Raven would welcome any potential sponsorship to help with her training costs etc.
If you are able to help in anyway then please email box4arena@gmail.com or raven.chapman@hotmail.co.uk
Arena’s head coach & chief matchmaker Steve Clark is busy arranging matches for Arena’s next England Boxing Show, taking place on the 12th of November at The Beaufort Centre in Southbourne Bournemouth, where among the dozen or so International quality bouts will be Amateur Boxing stars from all over the UK competing against Arena’s finest.
For more info visit Arena Boxing on Facebook or via their website here.
