Army boxers impress the best

The success of James DeGale, Billy Joe Saunders and Frankie Gavin on the amateur circuit in 2008, which saw DeGale claim olympic gold in Beijing and Gavin win a world title, has earned the trio professional contracts with promoter Frank Warren.

But despite the scale of their own achievements, the olympians were quick to heap praise on their Army counterparts who are making a similarly big impression on the amateur circuit:

"I have fought two guys from the Army, most recently [Lance Corporal] Steve Turner in the ABAs," said Gavin, who was tipped as a gold medal prospect in China until sensationally failing to make his weight at the eleventh hour. "They were both really solid fighters and good lads as well.

"I had thought about joining the Army because the opportunities you get to box are really good, but I was always involved in the sport and I have ended up focusing on a career in the ring.

"Boxing is hard, but I have enormous respect for the soldiers who are willing to go and risk their lives."

Gavin's faith in LCpl Steve Turner of the Royal Signals is based on first-hand experience. The two boxers have previously contested an ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) bout which was won by Gavin, and Gavin was in the crowd to watch LCpl Turner continue his England career by beating David Muller in an international against Germany in December.

In a match-up that was more one-sided than the 3-2 scoreline suggests, LCpl Turner's quick feet and superior tactics helped him overcome his opponent and play his part in England's 5-4 victory:

"The team Germany brought over was the same as us in that it was full of the up-and-coming guys who will make up their next generation of fighters," said LCpl Turner.

"The scoring was quite close and to be honest I was surprised that there was only a point in it. I had the right mindset and kept it tight throughout and I was happy to get the result."

With Army coach Sergeant Darren Dugan's, 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, training regime pushing up fitness and skill levels, it is no surprise that the Service's boxers are making a name for themselves on the international stage.

LCpl Turner was joined in the England squad for the showdown against Germany by the Army's light-footed and quick-fisted Private Martin Stead, Royal Logistic Corps, who was unlucky to lose his 60kg encounter against Eugen Burhard on countback.

Corporal James Allen, Royal Artillery, represented the country in a match against home nation rivals Wales in 2008, while ABA champion Sapper Adam Whitfield, Royal Engineers, capped a fine year by earning a call-up to the European Amateur Boxing Championships in Liverpool in November.

Signaller Niki Gittus, Royal Signals, has also flown the Army flag for England, winning two bouts before losing in the final of an international tournament in Jordan.

With the Army offering the talented team the opportunity to train full-time, the international boxers are setting their sights on earning a place in the England set-up for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

And so confident is LCpl Turner in his ability that he is planning on stepping up from the 64kg weight division he has excelled in to fight at 69kg.

Although the change in category will pit the junior non-commissioned officer against greater competition both at Army and international level, LCpl Turner feels it will benefit him in the long run:

"I don't feel like I have achieved everything at 64kg because I could have won the ABA title and obviously being left out [of the England team] last summer was a disappointment," he explained.

"When I was called up for the Wales fight it took a lot out of me because I had to get down to the right weight and in the ring I could sense that I wasn't myself.

"I stepped up over the Christmas period and I will be working at that level now."

With an unprecedented 26th Inter Services championship title up for grabs against the Royal Navy later this year, Sgt Dugan and his team have a lot to do before entertaining any notions of Commonwealth Games qualification.

But the coach believes his boxers' dedication and fitness will see them continue to play a key role at the sport's highest amateur level:

"These boys train like professional boxers and I demand a lot of them, but the results speak for themselves," he said.

"I push them so that the only thing they have to worry about is their mental fitness.

"Rather than being a bunch of individuals, we have a strong team, and that is helping each of them to reach the next level.

"We look after one another 100 per cent and I'm really pleased with the way the lads conduct themselves."

This article first appeared in the February 2009 edition of Soldier - Magazine of the British Army.