Plymouth boxer showcased on local radio and tv

Intense Boxing club’s JillyJean Newton-Westlake’s journey in boxing is being showcased on local BBC after they have followed her journey to two national titles.

Newton-Westlake, who is only 15-years old, has only competed in five bouts in total but she has claimed the England Boxing Development Championships (Class A 60 – 63kg) and National Association of Boys and Girls Club titles in her short year-long career.

She went to the BBC Radio Devon studios with her coach Mark Marshall where they discussed how she got into the sport and what she enjoys about boxing.

“I started taking boxing seriously last year January,” Newton said. “I originally started doing it to keep up my fitness for netball but I discovered I didn’t like netball as much as I liked boxing so I quit netball and started taking boxing seriously.

“My uncle is Scott Dann who was a Commonwealth and British Champion boxer. I saw how my uncle trained and I know that I’m not near that because I still have to go to school and I’m taking the training as it goes. Training isn’t too hard as long as you enjoy it. If you are doing things you don’t enjoy it feels like it is hard work but I really enjoy it.

“I’ve won all five of my bouts so far. When I first got in the ring I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would have been but the moment you had to go and touch gloves I was really nervous. As soon as the bell goes though I forget about the crowds watching.”

Her coach mark Marshall added: “What Jilly has is phenomenal power and she has great belief and her attitude and application is absolutely on point. Whatever we tell her she tries her best to do and we can’t fault her.”