Leeds Beckett Student Celebrates Boxing Victory at Wilder Fight Night
Hamish Towers, a first-year Sports and Business Management student at Leeds Beckett University, is embracing life in Leeds, a city he describes as having 'everything to offer.' His enthusiasm soared after winning his boxing match at the third Leeds Wilder Fight Night, held at Stylus Bar on the University of Leeds campus. The event featured a thrilling and intense encounter between two novice boxers, captivating the audience with its raw energy and skill.
Intense Training and a Memorable Fight Night
"There were 13 bouts in total," said Hamish, 19, who originally hails from Tunbridge Wells in Kent. He and his opponent, Lucas Edwards, underwent eight weeks of rigorous training at Bethlehem Boxing Club under coaches Lee Murtagh and Jonathan Nyabako. "Fight night was an amazing experience; I’m proud to have got the win and entertained all my supporters, including my parents, brother, and many friends who travelled up from Kent," Hamish added.
From the opening bell, Hamish dominated the match, keeping Lucas Edwards on the defensive with a relentless barrage of punches throughout the first round. Referee Lee Murtagh stopped the contest toward the end of the second round after Lucas was knocked down for a second time, securing Hamish's victory to the delight of his vocal supporters.
Family Pride and Emotional Support
Hamish's mother, Emma Towers, admitted, "I was petrified. I knew I’d be emotional, but we’re delighted he’s achieved what he set out to do." His father, John, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We’re proud of him. The whole experience was fantastic for the students, and it’s helped Hamish embrace university life. The event was well worth the over 400-mile round trip."
Coaching Insights and Opponent Challenge
Jonathan Nyabako, one of Hamish's coaches, reflected on the preparation and match. "Hamish showed aptitude in training and reached a high standard as a novice. He faced a more experienced and determined opponent in Lucas, who took the bout at a week’s notice, having previously won his fight on Wilder’s Leicester show with a first-round knockout," Nyabako explained. "For me, it’s a great experience imparting my knowledge of the sport I love. With Hamish, we’d worked on a specific combination of shots, and that’s what he used to great effect."
Charity Impact and Awareness Campaign
Wilder Fight Nights support The Oddballs Foundation, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of testicular cancer and fundraising for improved treatments. Wilder stages approximately 30 fight nights annually across Britain and Ireland. This third Leeds event has brought the local total raised for their partner charity to more than £30,000.
Stuart Ward from The Oddballs Foundation highlighted the partnership's importance: "Our collaboration with Wilder Fight Night allows us to reach our target audience and raise awareness of testicular cancer prevalence among younger men. Involving young people directly helps remove any stigma around the illness."
Future Aspirations in Boxing
Looking ahead, Hamish plans to continue his boxing journey. "I aim to join a local club in Leeds and get back competing. I’m in love with this sport—the commitment, the discipline, the nerves before the bout, the elation of the win. It’s just the best way a person shows what they’re made of," he shared enthusiastically.
