BY: Tony Saleni

None of this would happen without Paul Smith. Tireless, relentless, the one who makes sure the opportunities exist in the first place. He doesn’t look for credit, but deserves it all the same. Athena moves because Paul never stops.

They went to America, twelve of them, none of them England’s number one, none of them adorned a national vest. They came from nine clubs, carrying their own colours and their own pride. What they came back with was bigger than belts or medals. They came back with rounds in the bank, scars to show, stories to tell.

Mia Bradshaw was first in. Homesick, missing her birthday, she still fought hard. She lost, but the kind of loss that teaches you more than any win. She celebrated her birthday with her team instead — not the party she expected, but the one she’ll remember.

Layla (The Crazy Cat) Martin lost a split, but showed a fighter’s improvement. Weeks of hard work were visible in every round. The decision didn’t fall her way, but the belief is growing.

Lexi Joyce had the hardest assignment of all: Faith Gomez, America’s number one. Too much, too soon — at least on paper. Lexi didn’t blink. She fought every second, stayed on her feet, and showed the toughness you can’t teach.

Jessie Chambers drew Alize, another American number one. Jessie looked like she’d done enough, but took her foot off late. Against experience, that’s the difference. She’ll take the lesson and come back harder.

Brooke Mathews put on a masterclass. A unanimous win, her second international victory in six weeks. She makes it look easy, which is the highest compliment you can pay a fighter.

Nicole Evans boxed to orders, winning a split. Only six weeks into working with her, and she already looks transformed. She wobbled in the second, steadied herself, and closed the show with maturity beyond her years.

Georgie Wilson had every reason not to fight: sick on the plane, hit by jetlag, thrown a new opponent at the last minute. That opponent turned out to be a nine-time national champion. Georgie boxed her heart out anyway, proving paper doesn’t fight.

Layla Khan gave the crowd its money’s worth. A war, a split decision, and the bout of the night. She sparred anyone who asked all week, never once saying no. That’s the fighter’s spirit.

Grace Massey lost one she might have edged. No complaints. She sparred brilliantly all week, enjoyed every second, and came home smiling. Sometimes the experience is bigger than the result.

Fleur Pearch boxed the fight of her life, beating a strong, unshakable opponent. Then she sparred with Baby Bu, America’s twenty-one–time national champion. Rounds like that are gold dust.

Charlotte Emmett pulled off the upset of the trip. On paper, she was meant to lose. In the ring, she beat an Olympic qualifier and multiple national champion. A career-best win, no question.

And Marshall Miller, the Gypsy Queen, closed the show. She stood toe-to-toe with Lauren, America’s number one at two weights. A back-and-forth fight, full of courage and grit. She got her rounds with Baby Bu as well — the kind you never forget.

Beyond the Ring

But boxing was only half the trip. There were bonfires on the beach, Golden Gate cruises, pool parties, and the kind of laughter that binds a team. Friendships forged in the hardest way, through sweat and punches, sealed in the easy way, with smiles and stories.

Not one of these girls is number one. None of them wears an England vest. That’s the point. Athena was built to give every fighter a chance — to travel, to box abroad, to live the experiences that usually belong only to the few.

A Reminder

This trip wasn’t about medals. It was about fights that mattered, lessons that counted, and memories that will last. America gave these girls a stage. They took it

 
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