The finals of the Riviera Box Cup amateur boxing tournament are set to be streamed live on Sky Sports on August 17.
The search for future boxing stars continues this summer on the Devon coast. This event follows Sky Sports` earlier broadcast of another notable amateur competition, the Manchester Box Cup, held in May.
Taking place in the English Riviera, this tournament will feature amateur boxing talent from both the local region and from further afield. Several of the UK`s top clubs are sending teams, and international competitors will also be participating.
The Riviera Box Cup was first held in 2019 and has experienced rapid growth in both popularity and size since its inception.
Mike Reardon and Darrell Asplen, who manages the Torbay amateur boxing club, were the founders of the event. They created the competition with the goal of providing opportunities for boxers in the area.
`Before, there was nothing in amateur boxing for the Western Counties clubs unless they were willing to travel six hours up the motorway. We started it, and it has exploded in popularity; it has just completely taken off,` Reardon commented.
`We named it in honor of Darrell`s father, Sid Asplen, who operated the Riviera boxing club in Torbay back in the 60s and 70s. It was truly meant to pay tribute to his father, who contributed significantly to Devon and local boxing. That`s how the Box Cup originated; it was simply to give the local youngsters here a chance.
It grew from there. We didn`t initially plan to hold it over multiple years,` he added. `The first one was the year before Covid, then Covid hit and nobody was boxing, and we were actually the first amateur boxing event to get approval coming out of lockdown.
`It really took off from that point,` Reardon explained. `The demand is enormous, I believe because of our location in the country, which is the English Riviera, right on the seafront, and the time of year we host it.`
Sky Sports` Ed Robinson commented: `We received a fantastic reception to our recent coverage of the Manchester Box Cup. Now, we are focusing on highlighting another established, exciting international tournament with the Riviera Box Cup.`
`Our thanks go out to the entire team at the Box Cup and to England Boxing,` he added.
The Importance of Amateur Boxing
Frazer Clarke, an Olympic medalist, current professional boxer, and Sky Sports pundit, continues to follow the amateur scene closely. He discussed the significance of amateur boxing.
`It`s authentic,` Clarke shared with Sky Sports. `Many people involved contribute their own money and time without earning anything, doing it because they aim to improve the lives of young people, keep them on the right path, and provide them with a goal to pursue. I appreciate that.`
Additionally, he is keen to see how the future of the sport develops. `I also know that the next big pay-per-view star is out there somewhere,` Clarke stated. `In 10 or 15 years` time, we will watch one of these individuals fighting for a world title in a huge venue like Wembley or Tottenham.
They are among us, walking by us. I love that element of it,` he added. `You just don`t realize it at the time.
Beyond that, these individuals train incredibly hard. When you witness their joy or their tears, you understand how much it truly means to them. You have to respect that.`
Murray Blackwood