March Boxing Club’s young champ Harley Burrows dreams of world title
Old heads at March Boxing Club say Harley Burrows is up there with the best fighters they’ve ever had – and the 17-year-old himself is already dreaming of a world title.
Burrows, whose older brother Harrison, 22, is captain of League One football side Peterborough United, took up the sport two years ago and has just won the National Youth Championship at 75kg for the third time.
He has trained with Chatteris professional Jordan Gill at the super featherweight star’s Wisbech gym and has just been called up to the England Boxing Performance Pathway squad to fight for his country in June.
Head coach at March BC, Dave Cole, said: “He is a gifted young lad who has come a long way in two seasons. He is an exceptional boxer who can make a very good professional.
“You could see talent there straight away when he came to us but his commitment and dedication has seen him progress. He is one of the best we have ever had.
“He has the drive and the will to be the best. The harder the challenge, the more this boy enjoys it. He has been sparring over at St Ives with 24-year-old seniors and he is pushing them around.”
Harley’s brother Jensen,21, also trains at March and is a British Universities champ, while senior brother Josh plays football at top local side March Town.
Harley told the Citizen: “I’ve always been sporty, enjoying rugby and motocross, but I enjoy boxing more. I love training. If I didn’t go boxing I don’t know what else I would do, I’d just be bored.”
The Murrow-born fighter is well aware of former Commonwealth and European champ Gill as well as other local legends former world title challenger Dave ‘Boy’ Green and ex-British champ Eric Boon.
“I want to be better than them. At the moment I will stay amateur and see what England has lined up for me but my long-term aims are to go senior in January, eventually go professional and someday win a world title.”
With 20 wins from 20 bouts, however, it’s not always easy finding an opponent who will face off against him, although it is hoped he will be in action at the club’s dinner show at the March Braza Club on Friday, April 12.
After that, he will box for England against Scotland and Wales in the Three Nations tournament in Cardiff from June 7-9 and if he impresses there, more tournaments and exposure will open up for him.
Youngsters can learn boxing fitness at March Boxing Club on Thursday evenings before stepping up to fight training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For info on training and tickets for the dinner show, call 07780 675953.
