Last weekend, three of our competitive boxing athletes – Kenzo, Ranow, and Hussein – travelled to the Midlands for a Box Cup where Fight for Peace champions reigned supreme. Accompanied by Coaches Justyn and Kenny, as well as the mastermind behind the matches, our Club Secretary and Matchmaker, Silvino Domingos, our trio stepped towards a tournament that would put their years of training to the test. 

West of Birmingham lies the bustling town of Smethwick, where, for one weekend this year, the Hadley Stadium held the Midlands Box Cup. With the semi-finals on Saturday followed by the finals on Sunday, various bands of boxing experience met complementary opponents in a tournament that showcased excellence and talent from across the country.

Saturday kicked off early with weigh-ins at 9 am and bouts beginning at midday. To avoid a 4 am wakeup, our athletes made the journey up to Birmingham the previous evening – in competitions such as these, it’s best to leave as little up to chance as possible.

Ranow was the first to step into the ring. Facing a tough opponent, he entered the first round at full throttle, a sign, as Coach Kenny shared, that nerves were kicking in. But drawing on the experience of multiple bouts over the past year, he quickly shook off the nerves and took control by the second round. 

By the third, he had entered his flow state, a space where concentration and rhythm quiet the nerves and give space to self-belief and confidence. Here is where he gave his opponent a standing 8-count, paving the way to a unanimous decision win and a ticket to the finals the following day. 

Another incredible demonstration of skill and discipline was from Kenzo.  Up against a much taller boxer, Kenzo did well to establish his pace and control in the first round. The second round could have gone either way, but Kenzo stayed perfectly poised, and he turned the tide in the third, cruising to a comfortable unanimous decision win to secure his spot in the finals. 

Last but not least, the day saw competitor Hussein stepping into the ring to rally against an experienced opponent with a winning streak behind him. Hussein boxed well in the first round; a quick jab here, a strong uppercut following, but his hands down led him to an early 8-count. 

The second round showed promise as things turned around, his skill and confidence growing to dominate the ring, and by the final third round, he’d found his rhythm. Unfortunately, tournaments such as these demand that you quickly tune into your opponent’s style and adjust – and while Hussein put in the incredible graft, with hours of training behind him, he lost this bout by unanimous decision. 

But this bout is not the end; it is a learning experience, a moment to become a little more familiar with discomfort. As Coach Kenny reflected, despite the heat of a broken air conditioning system, an unfamiliar venue, and the pressure of hundreds of spectators, our athletes stayed sharp, positive, and ready to perform.

Hussein could easily have returned to London that evening after his final dreams were cut short. Instead, he stayed through Sunday, leading the cheers and bringing the energy for his teammates Ranow and Kenzo. This is what Fight for Peace is all about: our young people recognise that a win for one of us is a win for us all, and standing by your teammates when things don’t go your way is where the real victory lies.

Sunday morning brought the finals, and with them, what Ranow described as the “aches of the previous bouts.” Yet, the physical toll couldn’t dampen the electric buzz and excitement for what was to come.

Ranow was up first, entering the ring with determination and purpose. He gave an expert performance in each round, showcasing raw endurance and tactical ability. He solidified his unanimous decision victory in spectacular fashion, forcing a standing eight-count in the third round and placing the belt firmly in his hands.

Next up was Kenzo, and his performance was a masterclass in boxing. Calm, composed, and completely dominating, he controlled the centre of the ring across all three rounds. Leaving no doubt in the judges’ minds, he walked away with a brilliant, unanimous decision win and his very first belt. 

When champions Kenzo and Ranow walked back into the Fight for Peace Academy on Monday evening, the energy was electric. They were immediately surrounded by coaches and members wanting to hear every detail of the weekend. Moments like this ripple through the entire organisation, igniting a spark in our next generation of athletes who realise that with enough grit, they’ll be the ones holding the next belt. 

We couldn’t be prouder of our three young athletes for how they represented Fight for Peace at the Midlands Box Cup. They showed up, dug deep, and embodied our values of Champion and Inspiring. None of this would be possible without the team behind the team, massive thanks to Coaches Kenny, Justyn, and Silvino for supporting them every step of the way.

Interested in starting combat sports or stepping up your game to become a competitor? Take a look at our timetable to see when our next sessions are running and find the class that’s right for you.