From Roman Boxing in Bath: Facing a shortage of opponents closer to home, Roman Boxing Gym’s standout boxer, Daisy, sought greater challenges on the international stage. After her sole potential competitor withdrew from the Women’s Winter Box Cup 2024, Daisy and her coaches set their sights on the prestigious Golden Girl Championship in Borås, Sweden, held from January 31 to February 2, 2025.
The Golden Girl Championship, renowned as the world’s largest female boxing tournament, celebrated its 15th edition with a record-breaking 437 participants from 26 nations, including Australia and Mongolia. The event drew Olympians, world champions, European champions, national champions and emerging talents, underscoring its status in women’s boxing.
Securing the necessary funds for this international trip was a significant undertaking for the club. Generous supporters, who include Stewart Holness, played an important role in making Daisy’s participation possible.
In the championship bout, Daisy faced the reigning Golden Girl titleholder and senior national development champion. Demonstrating exceptional skill and strategy, Daisy secured a unanimous 5-0 points victory, clinching the 2025 Golden Girl Championship title.
Reflecting on her achievement, Daisy remarked:
“I’m pleased with my performance, there’s things I could have done better as always, but my opponent was tough and strong, and I think I used my strengths to my advantage, not just letting her walk me down and dominate which was clearly her technique. I think my movement and speed were essential to getting the win, but yeah still working to build on these things regardless.
The venue was really great, in a massive hall with 4 rings in total, definitely the best venue I’ve boxed at so far – there was just constant action, it was nice to be able to watch some of the fights as well as there were loads of really talented girls there, it’s good to have that sort of motivation for yourself.
To be able to get the chance to do something I’m so passionate about in a competition in another country is an amazing opportunity and I think it just proves that you really get out what you put into the sport. Also, I’d never been to Sweden before so that was very fun to experience it and get to see some snow.
I’ll be competing in the development championships again in September/October time, now as a senior, and then should also be competing in the elite championships in 2026. Other than that, I’m not too sure at the moment, opportunities tend to pop up as and when so hopefully just get a bit more experience this season as a senior.
In terms of the long term, I don’t really have a plan, just that I’d like to box for England.
I’d like to say a massive thank you to Roman Boxing Gym as a whole for making this possible for me, especially to Darren and Bamsey for cornering me in the competition, but also for all the behind the scenes work that goes into these things and all the coaches at the gym, obviously I wouldn’t be in this position without them and all of the effort that everyone puts into the gym. It’s been such a great experience, hopefully these tournaments can become more of a regular thing for the club.”
Accompanying Daisy were coaches Darren and Luke. Darren shared his thoughts:
“I would like to thank the organisers for making us welcome at the Golden Girl tournament. Being the biggest women’s tournament in the world, it was a great experience for Daisy, and for the club, and us as coaches to have this experience.
This was the next level for Daisy, and it’s great we were able to take her there and she showed she is at that level with her boxing. Competing at this level is important as our boxers develop, hopefully we can maintain the reputation of the club and keep developing boxers at national and international level.
Most importantly, without all these tournaments being organised, and the support of sponsors and donations, this wouldn’t be able to be achieved.”
Roman Boxing Gym hopes to return to Borås in 2026 with Daisy to defend her title, and it would be a fantastic achievement to take a team of Bath girls to compete alongside her. If you’re inspired to give boxing a try, join us at training. See RomanBoxing.co.uk for more information and class times.