University of Sheffield beat Sheffield Hallam University 8-4 in boxing, for the second year in a row to add another point to their varsity score.
The varsity boxing was held on 15 April, 2024 at the Octagon Centre in Sheffield. Twelve bouts were fought, with 10 men and two women on each side. The press coverage of the event was carried out by Forge TV, the University of Sheffield’s student-run news organisation, who livestreamed the event on YouTube.
Emily Evans, women’s captain of University of Sheffield boxing team, said: “The training process for varsity is quite intense. It’s not just training and boxing classes, some of these boxers probably had to cut weight to match their opponent’s weight.
“It’s all round – fitness, actual technique and eating well.”
The first fight was fought between Ollie Fleet representing University of Sheffield in the blue corner and Sam East representing Sheffield Hallam in the red corner. Mr Fleet won the fight with a unanimous decision by the judges in his favour.
Fans were gifted with very exciting subsequent bouts between the two universities, with split decisions, knockouts and referee stoppages. The score was 5-2 in favour of University of Sheffield before the interval.
Daniel Kszton, one of Sheffield Hallam’s boxers, when asked if he’d be back at Varsity next year, said: “Oh yeah, 100 percent. I failed my degree just so I could do it again.”
The boxing resumed with a women’s fight between Sophie Johnson from Sheffield Hallam University, and Hollie Steward from University of Sheffield with Ms Steward winning the bout. Ms Johnson’s walk-out to the student-favourite song ‘Baddadan’ prior to the fight mesmerised the crowd.
The last fight was fought between Adam Green and Jake Whiteman. Mr Green, representing Sheffield Hallam won the fight with a split decision. The University of Sheffield boxers were presented with the trophy during the closing ceremony and Hollie Steward was named ‘boxer of the evening’.
The hard-fought win means University of Sheffield now lead the varsity score, which is 9-4. More sports fixtures are going to follow, with the two universities competing in hockey, football, rugby, cricket and many other sports in the coming days.
Information about the upcoming fixtures can be found here.
