Cameron’s doing great at Merlins Bridge ABC!
Cameron Barrows is living proof of the way that amateur boxing can help youngsters develop into maturity because as well as being a useful pugilist he also gives up his time to help Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club's head coach Graham Brockway coach the younger juniors at the respected club.
Cameron hails from Merlins Bridge and trains hard four nights a week, with occasional Friday evening visits to the 'Power Shack' in Snowdrop Lane to further develop his endurance, alongside the physical torture known simply as 'The Steps' on Sunday mornings.
This involves running at speed up and down the 152 steps opposite the 'Bristol Trader' in Haverfordwest, leading up to St Thomas's Green.
"It was killing to start as we work in pairs trying to beat our previous best times as we work for an hour," admitted Cameron, "but is superb for developing the leg strength needed to box well over three rounds in front of packed crowds all round South Wales.
Slow start leads to bigger things
Cameron first set out training at Merlins Bridge ABC a while ago after walking the short distance from home and being made very welcome by Graham Brockway, Mark Jenkins, Kim Baker and the other boxers.
"At first I just went there to train when I was younger but left after a while until my younger brother Lewis started boxing and at first I just popped across to watch him and caught the bug of training hard about two and a half years ago.
"Graham didn't rush me at all but once I started sparring I wanted to go into the ring and it wasn't long before I had my first bout.
Thrilled by first success
"He thought I was ready to enter the Welsh Novices' class at Penlan Social Club in Swansea and I was very nervous but he calmed me down before the start and between rounds. The time in the ring just flew by and although I was narrowly disappointed to miss out on the decision I really enjoyed the experience and couldn't wait to get back into the ring again."
Cameron's second bout was in Burry Port and he couldn't believe how good the atmosphere was - and was thrilled to pick up a split decision verdict as he boxed well against a more experienced opponent.
"Graham was just as thrilled as I was and soon after that I enjoyed my first home competition, in front of a packed audience in Letterston - where my opponent had come all the way from Cirencester.
"All my family and friends were there, cheering me on, and I won a unanimous points verdict s it was brilliant."
Set-backs just make him more determined
There was a set-back in Cameron's next home bout, however, which took place in front of another vociferous crowd at The Pavilion, on the Showground in Haverfordwest, when all the local pundits felt that he had done more than enough to win - but his opponent's arm was raised as the winner.
"Graham told me he thought I had done really well and although I was very disappointed it just made me all the more determined to carry on and do even better.
"I just missed out again in the Welsh Novices Championships, this time at the Blaen y Maes Club in Swansea, before winning in Newport on a split decision.
Family matters
"Then it was on to Letterston again, which is turning out to be my favourite place to box, because again all my family were there and not only I won on points but so did my brother Lewis!"
Cameron's dad Keith did some boxing years ago in the army and mum Tracy is one of his biggest supporters and as well as Lewis (14) he has other siblings in Jade (12) and Jordan (11) - and his grandparents June and Tony Boswell, from Johnston, also follow his progress.
Self discipline in training
His recent Letterston win was fitting reward for Cameron's devotion to training because every session is very hard work indeed.
"We start every evening with skipping and shadow boxing to warm up and then the hard work really begins with our 'Ton Up' training, which involves ten each of press-ups, sit ups, squat jumps, half sits, rolling press, crunch sits, squat thrusts, wide arm presses, burpees and star jumps, making up 100 moves, with only ten seconds in between each exercise!
"Then we do bag work on the heavy bags, which is good for shoulders, and the pads held by trainers to develop or sequence of punches.
This is followed by sparring against other boxers, often over five or six rounds, using heavy 14-ounce gloves to reduce the impact, followed by a 'cool down' session to round things off - and at the 'Power Shack' they use the running and rowing machines, plus the 'spinning' bikes as another form of physical endurance in the legs!
Helping youngsters in the gym
It is good to report that as well as all his own work in the gym, Cameron also helps out from 7.30 to 9pm on Thursday evenings with the juniors.
"We use the same routines but with less emphasis on the physical work and more on having fun with them," Cameron told us, "making sure they are safe and with lots of encouragement to keep them going."
High praise from coach Brockway
Ask Cameron about ambitions in boxing and he would say that he would love to earn a Welsh vest at some time - and coach Brockway says that it is only a matter of time before that dream comes true.
"No-one works harder in training than Cameron and he has improved so much because his efforts are linked with the ability to take sound advice on board.
"He is a good example for younger boxers in the club and is a pleasure to have with us."
High praise from someone who really knows his boxing talent as well as any trainer in Wales, and we certainly join him in wishing Cameron Barrows, a very modest and talented young boxer, continued success in his chosen sport!