Cleary backs Kumar to be knockout star - The Leamington Observer

Cleary backs Kumar to be knockout star

Leamington Editorial 18th Mar, 2020   0

OWNER and head coach of Cleary’s Gym, Edwin Cleary, says Aman Kumar deserves enormous credit for performing beyond his years to reach the England Boxing Junior Championships semi-finals.

Kumar, aged 14, produced a huge shock on Sunday by defeating Harvey Strand at the Queensberry Amateur Boxing Club in Stoke-on-Trent.

The split-decision victory, ruling four-to-one in Kumar’s favour, was the latest example of the Leamington boxer’s growing potential, overcoming a GB Three Nations winner and former national champion two years his senior.

“I can’t stress enough how good this achievement is,” said Cleary.




“If anyone ever plays a sport to a level where they are two years ahead in age, then you would understand how difficult it really is. Especially in a sport like boxing, it really does not get any more difficult than this.

“Harvey is one of the country’s top boxers with twice as many wins as Aman has fights, and has won multiple national titles.


“It’s a great win for Aman. He’s a special kid and I’m so happy he’s producing on the big stage.”

While the culmination of the Championships have been postponed until later this year, Kumar will no doubt relish the opportunity to fight for a place in the final for a second successive year at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool.

Meanwhile, another Cleary’s prospect, Reni Bulyak, made it two wins from two to continue a successful start to his amateur career.

Having only made his debut in the ring on March 7, Southam fighter Bulyak beat Bartley Green boxer Luke Askew in his second bout with a unanimous decision.

Despite being a slightly lighter weight than his 46kg opponent at 44kg, the 13-year-old was full value for the victory at Newdigate Amateur Boxing Club in Bedworth.

Building on the technique and approach that served him so well in his first fight, Bulyak was on the offensive from the opening bell and showed real speed in both his jab and on his feet.

The Cleary’s youngster demonstrated confidence with his punch selection and kept Askew on the back foot for the entirety of the fight.

Cleary feels his latest star is well set for the upcoming Schools Championships, provided they go ahead.

“Cleary’s Gym has a history of producing elite level boxers, and with the Championships starting in April through to May, we really want to keep Reni busy over the next month,” he added.

“Listening to other coaches’ compliments after his latest fight, I think the word is very much out about the young man.”

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