By Jonathan Brown
15-YEAR-OLD Paige Nickels, from Dromara, made history at the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs (NABGC) Boxing Championships, which were held in Bridlington, England, on 24 November.
Paige, representing Banbridge ABC, defeated current English champion Ellie Spencer courtesy of a unanimous judges’ decision (5-0).
The Wallace High School student was fighting against Spencer in the Class A, Female Under 54kg final, and overcame her opponent, who went into the fight unbeaten in 15 bouts, with ease.
The result meant Paige became the first female from Northern Ireland to win a title at the NABGC Championships, a competition that allows young boxers from across the UK to compete for national amateur titles.
Paige’s dad and coach, Daniel, explained the significance of the achievement.
“It’s a fantastic achievement,” he said.
“She’s the first female from Northern Ireland ever (to win a title at an NABGC Championships) at any age or weight and one of very few boxers, male or female, to hold both the Irish and UK title at the same time.”
The Dromara teenager, at the age of 15, is already a five-time Irish junior champion and is the current holder of the National Senior Cadet 50kg female title.
She’s picked up multiple Antrim and Ulster titles and a range of international titles, including a notable victory while representing Northern Ireland at the Golden Girl International Championship in Sweden, one of the most prestigious female boxing tournaments in the world.
In the full article her father tells the story of how Paige became interested in boxing, and how she has adapted her lifestyle around becoming the best boxer she can be.
