Bedford’s young boxing sensation, Rekha Kambli has picked up where she left off in 2025 with two mammoth victories on the national and international stage, including at the Golden Girl Box Cup Championships, one of the planet’s most prestigious female amateur boxing competitions.
The finals took place in Borås, Sweden, with the tournament including over 500 amateur female boxers, in which Rekha came out on top as part of all-female England Boxing Home Counties squad.
Rekha’s journey through the tournament was dominant, and she was the only boxer in the tournament to achieve stoppages in all three stages on her route to gold.
In the quarter-final, she faced Ireland’s, Britney Gorman Murtagh, stopping her opponent in the first round, before securing a second round stoppage of Andrea Bjørnsen Hovdekleiv of Norway in the semi-final.
In the final, Rekha faced Ali Gorman, also representing Ireland, and delivered a composed and disciplined performance to claim victory with another first round stoppage to be crowned 2026 Golden Girl Box Cup Champion in the Under-19 65kg category.
With this success, Rekha’s record now stands at an unbeaten ten wins from ten bouts.
“I’m incredibly proud to have won gold at the Golden Girl Box Cup,” said Rekha.
“Being part of an all-female England Boxing Home Counties squad was a really special experience, and the level of boxing was extremely high.
“I’m grateful to [coach] Liam and all the coaches for their support in Sweden, and to my coaches at Bedfordshire Elite for preparing me so well.”
Avi Kalyan, Head Coach at Bedfordshire Elite Amateur Boxing Club, added, “We couldn’t be prouder of her. To go abroad for the first time, represent the regional team, and win three fights all by stoppage is an outstanding achievement.
“She showed real class, composure, and dominance. As her home club, Bedford Elite ABC, this is a huge moment for all of us”
Second national title secured in Rotherham
Not one to rest on her laurels, Rekha was back in action across the weekend (7 and 8 February), with victory at the England Boxing National Youth Championships in Rotherham, securing a second national title in the process.
With another final fight brought another final stoppage; this time of Tayla-Jade Hale from Surrey, with the referee stepping in to stop the contest in the second round.
On top of an England Boxing National Development title won in October, this latest win is the second national title secured by Rekha in what is still a fledgling boxing career.
Read: Bedford teenager wins England Boxing National Development Championship
These latest victories also represent a scalp for the small but punchy Bedfordshire Elite Amateur Boxing Club, who now boasts four national titles in four years.
Bedfordshire Elite is a small grassroots boxing club who support local youths and train at the Lonsdale Gym, located at the home of Real Bedford FC on Meadow Lane.
And with momentum firmly on her side, Rekha now looks ahead to future national and international opportunities as she continues to build on an outstanding season.
