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Sport

Gravesend-based Leos Lion's Boxing Club pair Ronny Heaver and Keaton Young win at Amateur Boxing Alliance International Belt tournament - and lead club contingent to Sweden

By: Thomas Reeves treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 13 June 2024

Updated: 09:20, 13 June 2024

Two young fighters enjoyed success at the weekend - and are set to head abroad for another tournament.

Ronny Heaver and Keaton Young, from Gravesend’s Leo’s Lions ABC, came back from the two-day Amateur Boxing Alliance International Belt tournament in Hertfordshire victorious.

The Leo's Lions ABC contingent at the Amateur Boxing Alliance International Belt tournament in Hertfordshire

Now, the club in Northfleet are set to go to Sweden to represent the UK at an international tournament from today until Sunday.

Coach Alvin Martin, who confirmed Heaver and Young will lead a seven-strong club contingent, said: “It’s big for the boys and big for the club.

“We have only been running for three years. There’s some clubs that have been running for 30 or 40 years that don’t have what we have got, although I don’t want to sound big-headed because I’m not a big-headed person.

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“It’s taken two years to get where we want to be.

"Don’t get me wrong, it’s a hard slog.

Belt winners Ronny Heaver and Keaton Young

“I’ve nearly lost my relationship a couple of times - I’m out four times a week and on weekends, as well.

"But we’re getting there.”

Heaver, 11, won in the under-40kg category.

“I’ve had Ronny for two-and-a-half years,” stated Martin. “I’ve been running the gym for three years and they have pretty much been there since day one.

“Ronny had two bouts and lost two this season. He was a bit reluctant to fight again, but we told him about the Alliance.

Teenage Leo's Lions ABC boxer Keaton Young with club coach Alvin Martin

“He was excellent. If you give an 11-year-old a belt, he thinks he’s a world champion.

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“Apparently, he slept with his belt all night!

“All the boys did really well, even the ones that didn’t get through.”

Young, 17, also was victorious in the under-71kg category.

Martin said: “Keaton has absolutely dominated this year.

Belt winners Ronny Heaver and Keaton Young with their stable-mates at Leo's Lions ABC base in Crete Hall Road, Northfleet, Gravesend

"Everything he has entered, he has won it. Keaton will find his way to the top and be a professional boxer. It’s his dream to do it.

“He always helps out in the gym, but he works, as well.

"He’s a good kid.”

Martin, who had Heaver and Young back in their Crete Hall Road gym this Monday, also explained why Young wore shorts with the word "Chaos" written on them at the Amateur Boxing Alliance International Belt tournament.

“Every time he boxes, he wears different shorts and has a different name on them,” he noted.

“The time before, he had ‘nosebleed’ written on his shorts because he kept getting nosebleeds!

“He’s a bit of a character. That’s where ‘Chaos’ came from.”

The club will reopen on Monday.

Contact Martin on 07564 427269 if you’re interested in joining Leo’s Lions ABC.

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