A special reception was hosted by the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland to congratulate a local junior boxer who took home gold in a major tournament.
Sixteen-year-old Keira Bowden from Carlin How represented England at the Tri National Boxing Tournament in June competing against Scotland and Wales.
Along with her mum, dad and brother, Keira was welcomed by the Mayor, Cllr Stuart Smith, who presented her with flowers and spoke of how she had done Redcar and Cleveland proud.
He said:
“We are incredibly proud of Keira and her fantastic achievements. Not only is she representing her country, but she’s representing our borough. She has already done us so proud, and we can’t wait to see where her career takes her next.”
Keira has been boxing since she was eight years old and trains every day whether at Redcar Boxing Club or at home.
“Savannah Marshall is my boxing hero”, Keira said at the reception. “My ambition is to go pro and compete at the Commonwealth Games but becoming World Champion is my absolute dream.
“I train non-stop because it’s my passion; I love it.”
After winning gold at the Tri National, Keira’s family treated her with pizza, waffles and ice cream, though the treat quickly turned into regret.
“I threw it up,” she laughed. “I’m usually on a very strict diet and weigh everything out. On a morning I have porridge, then chicken and rice for lunch, with three eggs and lots of vegetables for tea. So, my body just isn’t used to that kind of food, and one slice of pizza made me sick!”
Keira’s parents are fully supportive of her boxing career, as both her brothers compete in the sport too. Her dad Mark is credited as one of her coaches, and her mum Sarah films all of her fights.
Sarah said:
“I can’t actually watch her fights, so I just point the phone in her direction and look away. Keira’s had scuffs and bloody noses, and even a broken thumb, so you can only imagine how I feel watching from the side-lines!”
Mark added:
“Female boxing is massive now and it’s continuing to grow. Keira has a good chance of getting selected for the European championships this week, and she has good people around her, like her coach Niki Wiley, and her uncle Frank who has never missed one of her fights. We are all supporting her.”