Credit: D-Day Boxing

Radio Gateshead recently caught up the guys who organise the D-Day Boxing event at Gateshead's Lancastrian Suite for a chat.

The annual event showcases the local boxing talent from Felling Warriors who are based at the Whitehills Centre.

What is the recruitment process for the boxers?

"We have a boxing squad at our local gym Felling Warriors based at the Whitehills Centre."

Adding further "Having been an amateur boxer myself I have some valuable connection's to other gyms and boxers from many areas". "This is where my passion to start my own promotion started due to my career ending through injury."

"I always knew I had a lot to give back to boxing and too also fulfil my own passion as i could not compete."

The show always has a stacked card with some great bouts. So what is involved in setting up the event?

"Most people only see the show and actually don't understand what goes on behind the scenes". Its non stop and isn't a 9-5 job myself and my wife Adelle are no stop putting things in place along with training the lads and lasses."

We arrange sparring sessions, venue setup, booking entertainment, design and printing poster."

"We aim to keep track of the boxers and talk to them daily making sure they are 100% and are ready to fight. Boxer safety is paramount and we also arrange weigh ins keeping on top of weight limits".

Being a former boxer himself, D-Day Boxing added further:

"I feel I can help them along the way with any bumps in the road and appreciate knowing how tough boxing can actually be."

Out of the events so far, what fights have impressed you the most?

"We couldn't pick 1 or 2 as we have had some amazing bouts and a mention to the lady boxers who have put on some wars in the ring."
The one that sprung to mind when talking to D-Day Boxing was the bout between Sam Edgar v Natalie Cowx. "Natalie is now on the verge of turning pro." they added.

Who makes the decisions on which fighters make the bill as they all train extremely hard. "The final always come down to myself and the fighters coach. Adelle and myself are proud of what has been achieved with the event and hope to make the event bigger and better in the future."

More about the event:

"D-Day XV is amongst the best fight cards we have seen to date and is stacked with local talent. Undefeated Heavyweight Marcus Lupyna and former proz Danny Wall and Jamie Jones also appear on the show.

Well known Bareknuckle boxer Jimmy McCrory are also on the card. Many of the gyms and coaches will agree that the gym becomes like a family and develops a bond and respect for one another."

Felling warriors gym has saved many lads lives and helped turn there backs on drugs and alcohol. Boxing has it ways of working from all places, backgrounds and all walks of life.

Money has been raised for the likes of Birtley Boxing, High Fell, Felling Warriors ABC, Rutherford Boys Club. They have also raised money and awareness for MIND and Melanoma Charities.

If you want to experience not only a night of action-packed boxing also top entertainment come along to D-Day XV Saturday 19th February at the Lancastrian Suite doors open from 1pm.

D-Day boxing hope to eventually see more top open up to a larger and wider audience and to have more top young talent come through.

Majority of the fighters are from the Newcastle/Gateshead/South Shields and North Allerton area however the organisers have connections in Scotland and Manchester.

North East boxing is becoming more popular now and D-Day has showcased some top talent. Matt Stark, Chris Wood, Natalie Cowx and Andy Simpson have been or turned pro but have returned to the amateur side.

A huge event is in the pipeline for April Easter weekend and if this proves a success who knows where the D-Day boxing could end up. Why not come along and watch a great event and some top talent on show?

Tickets for the event are on sale from the various fighters and online.

19th February 2022 at the Lancastrian Suite and the opening bout starts at 1pm.