Royal Navy boxing coach POPT Q Shillingford is having to make tactical decisions in this year’s first round of the ABA National Championships – and it already looks a lost cause as injuries have weakened the squad.

With Scottish internationals Mne Kev ‘The Baby-Faced Assassin’ Green and Mne Jim ‘The Thin Destroyer’ Cusick still recovering from broken jaws sustained earlier in the season, and Mne Dave ‘The Hurricane’ Tang being eligible for the Welsh Championships, the Navy coach’s approach to this year’s nationals is somewhat different to previous years.

Regrettably, the Navy’s chances of winning the Inter-Services title will be dashed before the event has started, said Q
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Green and Cusick will be entered into the Scottish Championships in March, which will give them longer to recover from their injuries.

And as the weight divisions have changed in the amateur ranks, with light middleweight and cruiserweight having been removed, Tang will challenge for the Welsh title, allowing OM ‘Mac Attack’ Macdonald to compete for the English version at the same category of middleweight.

But there is better news on the ratings front, where both new boys to the team, OM Macdonald and Mne Stuart ‘The Bull’ Elwell, have been ranked nationally, adding to the Navy’s standing in the sport.

Another of the RN Boxing Association’s new stars is OM Neil ‘Bazooka’ Suku, who has come on leaps and bounds since joining the Navy team, and Q believes he is definitely one for the future.

The four boxers entering this year’s Inter-Services Championships next week will be Elwell at welterweight, Macdonald at middleweight, Mne Mick ‘The Irish Hammer’ O’Connell (heavyweight) and Suku (super heavyweight).

The night should prove to be a lively one, with all four Navy men taking on Army champions – all of whom have represented their countries.

POPT Shillingford said: “The lads have worked very hard in preparation, from training to dieting over Christmas and the New Year.

“I have full confidence in the boxers who represent the Navy – their commitment and dedication to Navy sport is second to none. I am sure the Inter-Services will be a very exciting and action-packed evening of entertainment.”

The Inter-Services Individual Boxing Championships will be staged at the gym of HMS Nelson in Portsmouth on Thursday, January 30, with doors open at 6.30pm. Boxing commences at 7.30pm. Tickets at £5 can be obtained from the HMS Nelson Main Gate.

Current English rankings: MA Ahmed ‘Shere’ Khan (flyweight) 9th; Mne Green (lightweight) 5th; Mne Cusick (light welterweight) 6th; Mne Elwell (welterweight) 6th; OM Macdonald (middleweight) 11th; Mne Tang (middleweight) 12th; OM Tony ‘H Bomb’ Hindley (cruiserweight) 3rd; Mne O’Connell (heavyweight) 3rd; OM Suku (super heavyweight) 11th.