Shepton Mallet's Round House Boxing Club has reached its first birthday with a winning debut for one boxer and a route towards the professional sport. The High Street community club marks its anniversary on Tuesday, 13 October, after a year that has already produced Box Cup success.

Rian Batten recently got his amateur career off to a winning start at a Frome Boxing Club home show. Facing Javed of Bristol's Down End Boxing Club, he secured a unanimous decision and was named Best Boxing Performance of the Show.

According to the club, Javed made the stronger start before Rian settled into the contest. Rian took control of the centre of the ring and dictated the pace in the second and third rounds, earning the backing of all the judges.

There has also been a milestone outside the amateur ring, with coach Ross Kessell gaining his professional boxing licence. The club says this will allow it to support professional boxing alongside its amateur programme, giving local boxers a pathway to explore turning professional.

Ross recently put that qualification to use at a Sanigar boxing event in Cardiff, cornering professional Robbie Chapman for the first time as a professional coach. Chapman brought experience from 105 fights, while the bill included a British and Commonwealth title contest and three Welsh national title bouts.

Youth boxer Reggie Williams has also tested himself against an unbeaten opponent at the Western Counties Development Finals in Bath. He faced Emmanuel Dean of Intense Boxing Club, who went into the contest with eight wins from eight amateur bouts and two Box Cup titles.

Reggie, himself a Box Cup champion, lost the closely contested bout. His coaches said the performance strengthened their confidence in his potential, with further Box Cup competitions in their sights.

During its first year, Round House has seen one youth boxer win the Manchester Box Cup and another reach the competition's final. Alongside those results, the club has worked with local groups and charities and supported members developing their fitness, confidence and boxing skills.

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The coaching team has thanked its members and the community for supporting the club since it opened its High Street premises. It now plans to build on that first year, with further opportunities in both amateur and professional boxing.

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