Express & Star

Paige adds to her story of success

Dudley boxing ace Paige Goodyear has hit another career high after winning a bronze medal at the World Youth Championships.

Published

The 17-year-old welterweight battled her way onto the podium in Budapest, in what was only her second overseas tournament.

Goodyear, a member of Brooklands ABC, defeated Mongolia’s Ann Nanjin in the opening round, before sealing a medal when she overcame home fighter Viktoria Csilla Ambras in a tight quarter-final.

That set up a semi-final with Canada’s Charlie Cavanaugh, who ultimately proved too strong over three fiercely-fought rounds.

“Paige is such a tough competitor that she was disappointed to lose out. But when she reflects on the whole tournament, she should be proud,” said Darren McDermott, who has coached Goodyear at Brooklands for the last six years.

“In terms of the competition, this was a big step up in class. She went over there and fought in a tough atmosphere.

“The experience she will gain from it will be huge. To bring back a bronze medal is a fantastic achievement.”

Goodyear’s talent has already taken her to two British titles, while she is also part of the England Boxing Discovery Squad and trains once a month with national coaches in Sheffield.

That is in addition to her studies in boxing education (BoxEd) and a diploma in sporting excellence (DiSE) at University College Birmingham.

Her potential was evident to McDermott, a former middleweight British title challenger, when she first walked through the door’s of his gym aged 11.

“It’s down to her how far she wants to go,” he said. “She’s at that age in life now when there are plenty of distractions and other things can take over.

“If she sticks at it, there is no telling how far she can go. There is no question she believes in herself. She gives everything you ask her to give.”