Shepton Mallet's Round House Boxing Club has returned from the Manchester Box Cup with a champion and a finalist, just nine months after opening its doors. The High Street club took two boxers to the international tournament in Manchester, with Reggie Williams winning his final and Charlene producing a strong debut performance.

The Manchester Box Cup was held over two days, with three rings running at the same time and 41 bouts per ring each day. Round House said both boxers represented the club with "immense pride, courage and skill".

Reggie Williams was first in action on Saturday, taking on Martin Ward from Jimmy Egan's Gym in Manchester. The amateur club is well known for its links to Tyson Fury and the Fury boxing family.

Round House said: "Both boxers showcased boxing at a very high level, displaying excellent skill and determination throughout. Reggie impressed with his hand speed, movement, and ring craft, winning all three rounds on the judges' scorecards."

Reggie won by unanimous decision and was crowned Manchester Box Cup champion in the under-60kg division for his age group. The club described the result as "a fantastic achievement and one that everyone at Round House is incredibly proud of".

On Sunday, Charlene stepped into the ring for the final of her age group in the over-80kg category against Jessie Coles of Barnsley Stars. Although Jessie had significantly more bout experience, Round House said Charlene had shown "tremendous potential" in the gym and was ready to test herself against a more experienced opponent.

The club said: "For her very first bout, Charlene showed incredible bravery, walking out in front of hundreds of spectators, with three rings in action, constant noise, and YouTube cameras surrounding the ring.

"Despite the occasion, she rose to the challenge magnificently."

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Jessie won two of the three rounds to become Manchester Box Cup champion, but Charlene finished strongly with a huge final round and forced a standing count. Round House said both boxers showed "tremendous heart, skill, and determination".

The club added: "Congratulations to Jessie on becoming Manchester Box Cup Champion, and a massive well done to Charlene on an outstanding debut performance. The experience gained this weekend will be invaluable for her future development."

Round House Boxing Club said the future is "incredibly exciting", with both Reggie and Charlene expected to challenge for national titles and major box cups in the seasons ahead. The club also has a large group of first-time boxers preparing to make their competitive debuts.

The club said: "To think that, after only nine months, we travelled as one of only a handful of South West clubs competing at the Manchester Box Cup and returned home with a Box Cup Champion and a Finalist is truly remarkable.

"The club, coaches, and boxers have come a long way in a short space of time — and this is exactly what dreams are made of.

"One champion. One finalist. Nine months in. The journey is only just beginning."

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