Tredegar's Cole Pikulski winning now for pro boxing future
"He wants to be a professional boxer and possibly represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games and Great Britain at the Olympics. This is his ambition. There is no plan B."
Such ambition is apparently no pipe dream, according to Gavin Rees, head coach at Pantside Amateur Boxing Club, near Newbridge, where 15-year-old Cole Pikulski has trained for four years.
"He's one of our most dedicated boxers. The other boxers look up to him and want to follow in his footsteps. As a future professional we're sure that he'll be on the way to the top as a champion."
Cole lives in Tredegar with dad Pawel and mum Eugenia.
"He never turns down a bout," said Pawel.
"He wants as much boxing experience as possible. His coach Gavin Rees is a former world champion who held the WBA super lightweight title. Cole has three weekly sessions at Pantside and does strength and conditioning training with me.
"Cole is now Welsh Champion for the fourth time. He's also won this year's Warehouse Box Cup held in Neath. The final was his 50th bout. Nobody had ever boxed in our family, but I always loved the sport and encouraged Cole. He's always thoroughly enjoyed it."
"I love everything about boxing,' said Cole.
"The training, making friends at the club, competing and most of all winning. I like to swim in the sea to relax.
"I'm learning a lot from Gavin who had a distinguished professional career over 16 years, as long as I've been alive. I also admire Venezuelan boxer Edwin Valero who remained undefeated in two weight classes and Vasily Lomachenko who is a reigning world lightweight champion."
"Consistency is the key in any sport," said Rees.
"Cole is a consistent winner. He's been a champion in a dozen events over the last four years, starting off at 36 kg and now at 52kg. These include winning in a tournament in Portugal. The future is bright."
Like all elite athletes Cole needs sponsorship.
"We're grateful to Sean Barnsley from Advanced Air, Jordan Jones from the Munch Stop, Bradley Cox from Platinum Prizes, Lee Edwards from Muscle Magic Massage and most especially our friend Angela Short for the support they've shown Cole."
Potential sponsors should contact Pawel Pikulski on 07881 810601 or e-mail pavpikulski@gmail.com .
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