On Friday 20th September Sevenoaks ABC boxer Lewis Syrett took part in the Ultimate Boxxer (sic) competition held at the prestigious O2 arena in London.
The sell-out event, which was televised live on BT Sport, saw 8 up and coming boxers from around the UK, take part in a highly paced elimination tournament. Boxers compete in three x 3-minute rounds, with four quarter final bouts, two semi-finals and a final, all on the same night.
Middleweight Lewis, who only turned pro in 2017, entered the competition with an impressive 6-0 record, faced Southern Area Champion Sean Robinson in his quarter final bout. An enthralling fight that went to the judge’s scorecard, Lewis was beaten by the Area Champion in a closely fought 30-27.
Speaking to us after the fight Lewis said: “The fight was tricky; Sean is a very good fighter and to draw him first was tough. But the better man won on the night. It does take me 1-2 rounds to warm into a fight sometimes, so the Ultimate Boxxer format doesn’t really suit me, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down and no shame in losing to the Southern Area champ. I will learn a lot from my first defeat”.
Lewis’s opponent Sean went on to his semi-final where he met the tournament favourite and eventual winner of the competition, Northern Irish boxer Steven Donnelly.
Talking to us about his incredible experience at the Ultimate Boxxer, Lewis told us: “I remember watching the prize fighter (same format) when I was in school thinking how exciting it was, and to be competing in it 15-20 years later was an amazing experience”.
“I feel it’s made me hungrier and I’m determined to get back in there as soon as possible and chase the Southern Area title.”