Renae wins national title for Bulkington

Proud as punch…Renae Cummins displays her gold medal

IT’S a case of fourth time lucky for Renae Cummins, crowned a national champ at the weekend.

Three times the teenage fighter from Warwickshire’s respected Bulkington Club has entered national championships. Each time she’s been thwarted simply because there was no one to box.

“There are simply not a lot of girls about in her weight category,” said trainer Franke Lewis Waugh.

This time Bulkington, the club that spawned current top pros River Wilson-Bent and Callum Singh, decided to move Renae up from 70 kilos (11st) to 75 (11st 11lbs) in the quest for competition.

The gamble paid off big time. At Rotherham over the weekend, the 16-year-old was crowned national youth cadet champ.

And she won in some style. Saturday’s semi-final opponent was stopped in the third and Sunday’s final was over in 40 seconds.

Franke said: “She did really well. I believe Renae can go as far as she wants to go. If she keeps training and believes in herself she can beat anyone. 100 per cent she’s talented.”

Renae joined Bulkington just before Covid, a pandemic that put the brakes on amateur boxing. She questioned her involvement in the game during that enforced halt, but returned to the gym and has now won seven of nine.

Franke added: “We’ve had quiet a few champs – Renae is the latest.”

Few have had to work harder to find title opposition.

Renae said: “I had my first skills bout in 2019 and had a bit of a break, then came back in 2023.

“I just felt more determined at the weekend and kept thinking, ‘I have to win’. My strength is my jab – I use it correctly and can keep opponents off with it.

“I’d like to box for England at some point and the dream is to fight professionally. Right now, I’m just working to get better.”

She added: “Mum likes me boxing for the fitness, but gets nervous when I fight. Dad just loves it.”