A Brecon boxer has been crowned U19 World Boxing Champion in the United States, marking a monumental achievement in his amateur boxing career.
Dan Pitt, representing Wales on the international stage, added another prestigious accolade to an already remarkable year. His victory was met with resounding support from Brecon residents, who cheered him on through social media and online streams.
The U19 World Boxing Championships took place at the Pueblo Convention Centre in Colorado, from October 26 to November 2. This first-ever global tournament for boxers aged 17 and 18 featured competitions across 10 weight categories for both men and women. The event brought together more than 180 participants from 30 national federations spanning five continents.
The host nation, the United States, fielded the largest contingent of boxers, joined by strong teams from India and Italy, each entering teams of 15 men and women. Other nations represented included Algeria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Tahiti, Thailand, and Ukraine.
Dan, competing in the 85kg class, faced two tough opponents. His journey began with a semi-final match against Aryan Aryan, a two-time national champion from India. Representing a nation of three million people against one with nearly 1.5 billion, Dan’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. In a closely fought battle, he secured the judges’ decision and advanced to the final.
The championship final took place on Friday, November 1. Colorado’s Mountain Time Zone (MT), which was seven hours behind the UK until the end of October when the clocks moved back to six hours' difference, did not deter Brecon residents from following Dan’s progress.
In the final bout, Dan faced Kazakhstan’s national champion, Danial Raimbekov. The match unfolded over three-minute rounds, during which Dan showcased an exceptional combination of skill, agility, and power. His accurate, forceful scoring shots left no doubt in the minds of the judges. Dan’s unanimous decision victory earned him the top spot on the winners’ podium, where he proudly listened to the Welsh national anthem - a sound he had grown familiar with, as this marked his fourth championship triumph of the year.
Dan’s recent signing to the Welsh elite squad had already indicated his potential, but this victory emphatically confirmed the decision as the right one. His performance in Colorado is the latest chapter in an impressive year that saw him secure a second UK title in Cardiff this past June and claim gold medals in Hungary, Romania, and Lithuania.
A spokesperson for Brecon Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club expressed the collective pride of the club and local community.
“We are all incredibly proud of Dan once again and look forward to his safe return, along with his well-travelled and vociferous family who have been a great support,” they said.
“We would like to thank the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association (WABA) team for providing Dan and the other Welsh boxers with such amazing opportunities and experiences.”
Dan’s achievement on the global stage has set a high bar for future aspirations and cements his status as one of the most promising young talents in amateur boxing.
Brecon Phoenix ABC has spaces in most sessions for aspiring boxers, male and female, or people wanting to get fit from 10 years upwards.
Contact Dave Gilbert on 07969 201246 for initial details or join the Brecon Phoenix Boxing Club Facebook page for further information and to keep up with the latest news.