“Classy” Alfie Clegg wins the IBO Youth World flyweight championship
Unbeaten flyweight prospect, Alfie “Classy” Clegg (8-0-1, 2KO), claimed the IBO Youth World flyweight championship on February 16 in Tolworth on a Blvck Box Global event.
The 24-year-old from Guildford defeated Imani Matendo (5-1-1, 2KO) to claim the vacant belt.
The 20-year-old southpaw from Tanzania gave Clegg a hard battle from start to finish, but the home fighter managed to drop the visitor with a left hook in the 10th and final round.
The new champion commented on the knockdown, “A couple of times in there I hurt him, I could have probably pressed, but we got the job done, that’s all that matters.”
“Classy” then praised his African opponent, “We knew he was tough, we knew he was strong, puts everything into his punches; I didn’t feel any of the power, to be honest; some of the punches, throwing loads of punches on the arms and to the body, it wasn’t affecting me, I was letting him tire himself a bit, then come on strong, but yeah it was a very good fight.”
Clegg then shared his elation to win his first ever professional title, “It feels great, it’s been a great night. I enjoyed every moment of it, it’s been a hard camp, put a lot of work in, a lot of travelling, it’s been good but I’ve finally got it, I’m over the moon. I’m lost for words, I can’t describe how happy I am.”
Managed by Dean Whyte and trained by Kazy Kindon and Xavier Miller, Clegg also thanked his team and sponsors.
Coach Kazy Kindon commented the following morning, “Well, had time to reflect on last night and what it meant to me, Alfie Clegg winning this IBO title, I have worked with Alfie as a coach all through his boxing career, as amateur and professional, and I have known the family a lot longer.
“Alfie is the proof that whatever problems you have in life you can achieve what you want and he is doing that not just winning titles. He has got his own little club and training the next generation of boxers from a very young age to seniors, all you’ve got to do is have a look at the kids that are following him through the boxing sport and helping him achieve his goals.
“Me, his main trainer Xavier Miller, we are looking forward to a successful 2024, cannot explain how much this meant to me and the new IBO Youth champion, “Classy” Clegg.”
You can follow Alfie Clegg on Twitter