Morecambe boxer Birchall wins silver as he captains England

A promising Morecambe boxer has added another medal to his growing number of honours.
William Birchall.William Birchall.
William Birchall.

William Birchall, 14, won silver as he captained England at the Great Britain Schoolboy Three Nations in Swansea and hopes the performance will be enough to see him represent his country at the European Championships in Russia later this year.

The former Skerton ABC fighter, now with Blackpool’s Sharpstyle club, was selected for the prestigious competition after becoming the England Schoolboy Champion at 43kg.

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After winning through his semi-final on Saturday, June 13, a unanimous points win over Wales’ Creddy Jones that included a knockdown, the fighter from White Lune Road didn’t hit top form in the final 24 hours later as he went down to another home fighter, Ioan Croft.

Birchall, the cousin of rising resort professional Isaac Lowe, struggled to match the speed of his Welsh opponent and despite switching the angle of attack lost via a unanimous points decision.

In the process the captain became one of three England fighters to win silver medals with the team also picking up 11 golds.

Birchall’s role as captain also included carrying the England flag as part of an opening ceremony and ensuring his fellow boxers were ready for their fights.

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Mum Kelly said: “Being picked as captain was a big honour for him.

“He did well on Saturday in the semi-finals but on Sunday I think maybe the nerves of being captain and everything got the better of him.

“He’d also fought a lot more than some of the other lads this year and maybe should have had a break.

“But it’s brilliant and still a great achievement to get silver and be captain.

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“Now he’s just hoping it gets him picked for the Europeans in Russia.”

As things stand the teenager and his family are hoping this is just the start of a glittering ring career.

Kelly said: “At the minute he lives and breathes it.

“You’ll ask him if he wants to go to the pictures with his mates and all he wants to do is go training.”