Dorset boxer Ruby White wins U19 world title in Colorado

The 17-year-old was recently crowned -48kg world champion at the inaugural U19 World Boxing Championships in Colorado.

The championships marked World Boxing's first ever major tournament and by taking gold in the first final of the competition, White stormed into the history books as its inaugural world champion.

Defeating India’s Chanchal Chaudhary by disqualification in three rounds, it is a feat the teenager is still trying to get her head around.

"I am in the history books," she said. "I'm the first ever world champion for World Boxing it's amazing and I'm really happy to hold that title since there can only be one.

(Image: SportsBeat) "I've always wanted to be a world champion and now it's happened.

"In England Boxing we have this catchphrase: 'We don't come to take part, we come to take over'.

"I started it off for the team and we had loads of wins after that as well."

Ruby started a golden rush for England boxing, with a further five victories that very night.

But her own final was one of controversy and drama, with the Dorset teenager forced to keep her head clear and calm as her opponent made things difficult in the ring.

Ruby finally came out on top after her opponent was disqualified for holding and Ruby was thrilled with how she rose above the challenge.

(Image: SportsBeat) "It hasn't quite hit me yet," she said. "The fight went well and I won the first round, the second round my opponent won but I was still up on the cards and the third round she got disqualified, so I won overall.

"She was holding me and not letting me box and had too many warnings and so it was frustrating me.

"We always have to keep professional displays for our boxing and keep respectful.

"I was getting a little bit mad when she was holding me but my coaches were in my corner reminding me to stay calm."

Ruby is known as the 'pocket rocket' of England Boxing after defying her small height and light weight to win numerous titles, including three European and five national crowns.

But the boxer is quick to note that they are titles she has scrupulously earnt, enduring 12-hour round trips from Dorset to Sheffield on the weekend to train at the best facilities.

(Image: SportsBeat) "Funding my career and travel is probably my biggest challenge," she said. "I work full time to fund my travel up to Sheffield and since I live in Dorset it's a 12 hour round trip which I have to do each week.

"I'd say it shows my dedication as I want to travel to get the best training as I know it's going to make me better.

"I'm going to train until I can't anymore in every session because I know it will make me more confident and I know that it will give me the edge over my opposition."

Ruby's recent achievements, including her history-making world championship victory, have led to her being shortlisted in the top 10 for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award.

The annual Award, launched in 2006, recognises Britain’s brightest young sporting prospects and has previously been won by Olympic champions Tom Daley and Alex Yee and Paralympic gold medallist Hollie Arnold.

(Image: SportsBeat) The top 10 athletes have been selected from around 1,000 rising stars, supported by SportsAid, across more than 60 different sports in 2024.

Ruby has been provided with crucial financial support by SportsAid over the last two years – with the charity also offering personal development opportunities through workshops and visits.

She added: "Without the sponsorship I've been getting from SportsAid, I wouldn't be able to travel up to Sheffield every weekend.

"The train tickets are £120 each week, and then the kit is expensive as well so it's helped me a lot."

If it's not enough to be a world champion at 17 years old, Ruby also works full-time in construction and is part of Shaftesbury Ladies Football Club.

In Ruby's mind, the two sports often complement each other, with running around the pitch helping to keep her light on her toes in the ring. although though she admitted that leading up to major boxing competitions, football will always take a back seat.

"It's difficult having to balance everything, but I make it work and it has worked so far," she said.

"I play football as a hobby for a women's team but that goes around boxing for me. I haven't been able to play for them for 10 weeks before worlds in case I got injured. It's nice to have that extra fitness and a different side of sport as it's more running based and reactionary. Boxing and football complement each other really well actually."

It's difficult to wrap your head around how much Ruby has accomplished at just 17 years old.

In fact, the teenager still has two years left until she can even represent Great Britain on the international senior stage but it isn't stopping her from dreaming of a maiden Commonwealth Games in 2026 and Olympic Games in LA 2028, with her plans to take over the world of boxing already underway after youth world victory.

"This puts more pressure on me now as everyone is going to want to fight a world champion. I need to push a little bit harder to make myself better still," she said.

"After this, I'm hoping to get on the GB team to join the Olympic pathway and go to the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and the 2028 Olympics in LA and win a gold medal.

"After that I want to turn onto the professional ranks and become undisputed world champion.

"You have to be 19 so it won't be until 2026 that I can actually box for GB, so hopefully I can get onto that programme and keep working hard."

SportsAid’s annual One-to-Watch Award is being supported by Aldi – the charity’s Official Supermarket Partner. The winner of this year’s Award will be revealed in December with each of the top 10 receiving cash boosts and special in-person visits at their training environments to celebrate their achievements.