A fighter at a Highbridge boxing club has turned professional and has signed a three-year contract with a promoter.
King Alfred’s Amateur Boxing Club member Michael Hughes has been signed up by Bristol promoter Chris Sanigar, who runs a pro gym in the city.
Sanigar has trained many champions including Ross Hale, Adrian Stone, Glen Cathy and Lee Haskins. He has also assisted in the corner of many champions over the years.
Roger Cross, who runs King Alfreds ABC, told Burnham-On-Sea.com he is delighted by the news.
“Michael has been a role model in our club. He has always shown respect for others and fellow boxers. All the coaches and boxers are so proud to think that a small club such as ours has trained and encouraged Michael to this level.”
“He has been with King Alfreds ABC from the age of nine, winning most of his fights. He has been Western Counties Champion several times. He also has reached the National Finals where he narrowly lost on points to a boxer from a club in London and became Western Counties runner-up. At the age of 15 he was taken to Jane Couch’s Gym and sparred with pro-boxer Danny Butler.”
As Michael began to get stronger, it was decided to take him to Chris Sanigar’s gym in Bristol where Sanigar offered him a contract the same day.
Roger added: “Nearly every week Sanigar kept phoning his encouragement, resulting in Michael turning professional. As he needs to travel every day to Bristol, he is asking if anyone would be able to sponsor him.”
“Chris Sanigar says that he shows great skill and guts and has a bright future in boxing. The club and Michael would like to thank our local business man Terry Rickards for his generosity in giving the club unlimited use of the gym facilities for training.”
Roger added that all members at the club wish Michael success for the future.