Dublin delight for the golden boys of Blackpool's Sharpstyle boxing team

It was a golden trip to Dublin for Blackpool’s Sharpstyle boxing team.

Leighton Birchall (30kg weight class), John Tom Varey (32kg), Thomas Varey (36kg) and Frank Varey (42kg) all took home gold at the Monkstown International Box Cup across the Irish Sea.

Nelson Birchall (38kg), Jack Dadak (44kg) and Levi Barnes (46kg) claimed silver.

To cap off a successful weekend for the group from the Bagot Street club, Thomas Varey was also awarded the best junior boxer award ahead of 600 other young fighters.

The competition featured well over 1,000 boxers entered from 21 different countries, including the USA and Russia.

Sharpstyle’s seven boxers all reached the finals day, having won 14 out of 17 fights between them.

Three members of the team – Nelson Birchall, Frank Varey and Levi Barnes – will now turn their attention to the tri-nations tournament in Cardiff at the end of the month.

Sharpstyle’s newest member Levi Barnes said: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet that in a couple of weeks I will be putting on an England vest and representing my country in the sport I love.

“This is what I dreamed of when I first took up the sport.”

Head coach Andy Abrol added: “Once again the boxers have had another outstanding season as they continue to break records year after year.”