BOXING: Explosive winning debut for Robert Simpkins (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Lechlade 10-year-old impresses sell-out Cheltenham audience

10:25am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Sport By Danny Hall, Sports Editor

A SELL-OUT crowd at the Cheltenham Boxing Academy saw the potential of Lechlade 10-year-old Robert Simpkins on Saturday, writes Danny Hall.

Simpkins made an explosive debut as an amateur boxer with a unanimous points decision over Swindon’s Cayden Connolly. And Simpkins could be back in the ring as soon as February 27.

Simpkins has been training for almost a year with Pat Lewis in Cheltenham and the victory delighted his coach. “I have said that Robert can go all the way and he put in a superb performance,” said Lewis.

“It was an all-action display and he also picked his shots and was patient when he needed to be. When he did get an opening, he exploded.”

Connolly, under a barrage of Simpkins blows, took a standing count at the end of the first round and was perhaps lucky that the bell sounded just as the referee restarted the action.

Simpkins finished the third and final round well on top, too, as can clearly be seen on You Tube footage.

Lewis said: “It was a great night with 15 bouts and a sell-out crowd. We had six club boys in the ring and three of them won, but undoubtedly the pick of them was Robert. There were two ex-champions in the audience and they were both really impressed.

“I have already taken calls about a programme in Swindon on February 27 and I would expect Robert to fight there.”

Chantel Simpkins, Robert’s 12-year-old sister, was also expected to make her boxing debut on the Cheltenham bill but her opponent pulled out.

“It is hard to find a rival for Chantel as she is so light,” said Lewis. “We will take her to the Broad Plain gym in Bristol where they have girls’ training sessions and she will make her debut before long.”