Islington Boxing Club fighters with light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor in Birmingham

THERE was inspiration overload for a team of talented young boxers from north London following “a brilliant bonding trip to Birmingham” to watch the Commonwealth Games.

Not only did the junior squad from Islington Boxing Club (IBC) in Upper Holloway get to see some of the best and brightest battling it out for medals, but they also got the chance to meet unified light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor.

“We got to sit ringside and watch the morning session on Thursday – it was a great experience for the team,” said IBC committee member and matchmaker Reggie Hagland.

“Out of the eight junior boxers that we took, only one of them has boxed so far. The others should hopefully compete this coming season.

“I want to thank Afsheen Panjalizadeh-Marseh, technical operations manager for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, who made it all possible. He donated 12 tickets to the club which providing us with a great bonding experience. I also want to thank our junior coach, Jake Cutting, for helping us to organise everything.”