Shakira looks for England call-up after national win 

Waltham Forest boxer Shakira Ley shows off her ABA medal with coach Kevin Camp (c)

WALTHAM Forest Amateur Boxing Club's Shakira Ley is dreaming of an England call-up after being crowned national ABA champion.

The Walthamstow Academy School pupil, fighting in the Under-50kilo division faced the much taller Chloe Fairhead from Sheerness.

But despite being nearly five inches taller than Ley, defending champion Fairhead clearly hadn't anticipated the keen dancer's excellent foot work.

Ley landed some excellent combinations throughout, including a string of stinging right hands that clearly left her more experienced opponent dazed at the weekend.

That proved good enough to secure the 16-year-old a narrow 10-8 decision from the judges at the Army base in Aldershot, and fuelled her ambition further to represent her country.

"It was a very tough fight against a very good opponent, but I knew I could win," stated a delighted Ley.

advertisement"It feels great to win this title and hopefully now I will get a call from England to fight for my country next season."

Coach Kevin Camp said: "The whole team have been working hard to get Shakira ready for this fight, but because she is so dedicated all the coaches are happy to give their time.

"She goes out running on her own and really puts in the work.

"She is prepared to do that, because earlier in the year when they offered her a title by walk-over she declined it, because Shakira said she hadn't earned it."

Club secretary Ian Cuddy added: "It is great to have an ABA champion in the camp and hopefully a few of the lads will see the rewards Shakira has enjoyed from working hard.

"Hopefully we will get a few more women and girls down to the female only classes we have on a Sunday with our coach Karen Horseford."

To find out about the women only classes and boxing in general at Waltham Forest ABC, call E4 Health Studio on 020 8523 5133.