Punch perfect Kyle is Oldham's latest national boxing champ
Date published: 22 April 2024
Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre founder, director and coach Eric Noi is pictured with Kyle Tullin
Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre's Marine boxer Kyle Tullin has added another national title to the town's impressive collection.
Kyle, from Limeside, learned his skills at the Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre, but now boxes as a Marine under the Navy banner.
He won the National Amateur Championships 80 kg title, formerly known as the ABAs, in his first outing.
Over the last 30 years, some of England’s most famous boxers, including Carl Froch, Ricky Hatton, Nigel Benn and Anthony Joshua, have each fought and won in the national championships.
Oldham already has a good record in these championships with the likes of Peter English, Ronnie Heffron and Tommy Stubbs and OBPDC's Will Cawley picking up the prestigious crown in 2016.
The boxers train at Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre - the centre has been a fixture in Oldham for 17 years.
Oldham Marine Tullin only resumed his boxing career in January after getting his Green Beret.
He had already defeated four top class opponents the reach last Saturday's finals where he faced Jay Johnson from London, the favourite in many people's eyes.
He also fought both Frazer Clarke and future superstar of the sport, Ben Whittaker, whom Johnson had been sparring in preparation for his contest with Tullln.
Even this preparation did not prepare Johnson for what he was to face over the coming three rounds.
Tullin was relentless in his pursuit of glory, which earned him a unanimous victory.
Tullin said: “Ten years of work went into shining for nine minutes to achieve a dream of mine of becoming a national champion.
"I wanted this ever since watching a young Will Cawley win his ABA title.
"He was always an idol of mine growing up.
"I beat a really quality opponent who I had a quality war with who's a top lad.
“It was never and will never be about who is across from me, it will and always be about me versus me.
"Whatever a person does in the end, is what he intended to do all along."
Proud Eric Noi, the founder and director of the Oldham club, added: "Kyle is a role model for all of the young people and a perfect example of how hard work and focus are the basic tools for success in this world where distractions and excuses are plenty.
"Over the years the ABAs have produced some great names who have gone on to become world champions, so fingers crossed."
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