Talented Sporting Youngsters Feature - Arran James

Arran’s already a powerhouse in the boxing ring

Arran James is one of the new breed of talented young boxers to emerge under the close guidance of head coach Graham Brockway and his committed assistant coaches at Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club in the last year or so - and he recently gained a terrific win over Jayden Norman as proof of that fact.

It was his tenth bout and after losing his first two by narrow margins Arran has really blossomed into a calm, confident, and powerful teenager as soon as he steps into the ring, knowing that he has shown total commitment in his training, and it is paying off.

This was particularly so in his latest bout (I was told by a top Welsh boxing official many years ago when I was MC it is not a ‘fight’ because they take place in streets and there is always a referee to look after boxers’ interests once the bell goes!).

Great win in his latest bout

He took on an experienced boxer in Jayden Norman from the Premier ABC (Swansea) in the Referees’ and Judges’ Show at Gorseinon - in what was described as the feature bout on the bill and so was last of 16 taking place on the night.

It was just over a minute after the start when Arran caught Jayden with a good body punch and before his opponent could recover landed left and right hooks that saw the referee step in to give a standing count of eight.

After the official checked that Jayden was able to continue, he was caught again as Aaran’s power had him in trouble and another standing count saw the referee stop the contest after only one minute and 36 seconds.

Then it was back to his corner, where he was quietly congratulated by Mr Brockway and dad Stuart, who was the second coach allowed - and a video of the bout shows just how well Arran boxed as he didn’t have a glove laid on him.

Early start as he went to watch dad train

Aaran started an interest in boxing when he was as young as five, when his dad Stuart was training at The Dockers ABC in his home town of Pembroke Dock.

“Aaran used to love coming along to watch,” Stuart told us, “and I used to laugh when some of the boys there used to give him a pair of the smallest gloves (which were still miles too big for him) and he would have them on all the rest of the evening.”

Joined Merlins Bridge ABC – and hasn’t looked back

Then at 13, when Stuart was working away, he had a phone call from his wife Rosemarie telling him that Arran was wanting to be taken to Merlins Bridge to try training there - and Stuart also thought it was a good idea.

Rosemarie duly took him across the Cleddau Bridge and sat in the car waiting for him - and he eventually came out with a big smile on his face to say it was brilliant!

Over the next few weeks Graham told his coaches to watch out for the ‘youngster from Pembroke Dock’ because he had already spotted potential without knowing that Stuart had been involved as a boxer and trainer - but had a good laugh when he eventually found out when Stuart arrived to pick his boy up from another session!

Loves training – in and out of the ring

Arran takes up the story by telling us what a great time he had from the start:

“I had every encouragement from all the coaches and other more experienced boxers when I began sparring and working really hard on my fitness.

“It was great when my father then started to help with the training at the club since we had to travel three times a week - and on the other three evenings I was running around the streets of The Dock to build my stamina even more.”

 

Also impressed as a young footballer

Dad is known to all as ‘Twino’ (for obvious reasons) in local football, as well as boxing since he not only boxed for a whilst but played in goal for Monkton Swifts, where he is still first team manager today.

Arran also played football as a very good player with Swansea City and Haverfordwest County for three seasons, alongside junior rugby for Pembroke under Roy Allen. Playing for The Swans’ junior teams demanded total commitment for all concerned because he had to travel three times a week and away matches took place against teams like Exeter City and Bristol City.

Family matters . . .

Brother Jake (14) is also a keen footballer and has recently taken up training at Merlins Bridge and is eager to start his participation in the ring at the next home show later in the year - and all three of the James’ menfolk would say that wife/mum Rosemarie is a vital cog in the family’s sport because she is such a great organiser for their busy sporting lives.

 

Lost two bouts – but it made him even more determined

His first bout was staged as an exhibition contest in 2022 against another novice in Oscar Radice (Port Mead & Blaen y Maes ABC, Swansea) on the club’s home show so that he could gain experience and after that he took on Brian Demitriou (Trostre) and Jack Simpkins (Rhoose) in the Welsh Novices’ championships, lost both on a split points decisions, and a lesser boxer might have been so disappointed that they opted out of the sport.

But Arran is made of sterner stuff and it made him all the more determined to succeed - and the extra work he put on, especially on his punching power, saw him beat Connor Burden (Tylorstown) and then his old rival Oscar Radice, (In the Box Cup competition), with very convincing performances.

Hard work really paid off

It encouraged Arran to work even harder and since then there have been more excellent wins against Harrison Davies (Warehouse), Preston Howard (AJP Boxing) and Ralph’s Plowman (Llynfi Valley) to confirm that remarkable transformation to earn the ‘Boxer of the Year’ title at Merlins Bridge ABC.

So what of the future for this dedicated teenage boxer?

His next aim is to continue his hard work in readiness for the Welsh Championships. Because, like all aspiring boxers, a Welsh Vest would be the next step - and perhaps representing his county in internationals would be another important milestone.

From then on it is a matter of seeing how things go - but one thing is for certain: no-one could be more focussed on Arran James and we wish him every success because he is a credit to his family and club in his chosen sport!