MAJORBOOST
Newns hopes Joshua camp can earn him gold
Cleland boxer Stephen Newns hopes a fight camp with Anthony Joshua can gear him up for another gold medal.
The 21-year-old will compete in the Leszek Drogosz memorial international boxing tournament that begins on Sunday in Kielce in Poland.
The welterweight, who hasn’t fought since May, says he can’t wait for the trip having never been to the country before, and is determined to bring a gold medal back with him.
“I can’t wait to get in the ring and competing again,” said Newns.
“I’ve had a few good months of training since my last fight but I just can’t wait to get back to it. I’m determined to go and do well.
“The hope is that I can go and bring back a gold medal.
“In my last competition I got a silver after making it to the final. Losing out on that gold has made we want to come back even stronger again.
“I enjoy being able to travel, that’s one of the benefits of going away with the national team.
“The focus is obviously to do well but you go over there and get an experience.”
He added: “I wouldn’t go if I didn’t think I could get a gold medal. That’s the attitude I go into every competition with.
“I want to go all the way but I just have to take it one fight at a time.You don’t go far if you don’t win the first fight.”
The Cleland ABC puncher spent time sparring with Team GB boxer Jordan Reynolds and also pro-fighters Anthony Joshua and Tyrone McKenna.
And he believes that is the perfect preparation for his upcoming bout.
Stephen said: “I’ve had a really good training camp with some of the Team GB guys and professional fighters. I got to see Anthony Joshua down there and it shows you the level that one of us guys could get to.
“Obviously there is a difference between being professional and training for 12 rounds, but you see him spar and it shows the level you are aiming for.” ■