World Champion

Joe Gallagher Boxing campus learner, Joseph Woods (Joe), recently achieved an outstanding milestone in his kickboxing career, competing at the prestigious WAKO World Cup in Jesolo, Italy. The event brought together over 4,000 athletes from across the globe, highlighting the elite level of competition on display.

Competing in the 71kg category, Joe faced a challenging route to the final, with eight athletes in his division. In his opening bout, he went up against the Croatian champion and secured an impressive victory via third-round TKO, after his opponent’s coach threw in the towel.

Joe carried this momentum into the semi-final, where he faced a confident Romanian opponent. Delivering a composed and controlled performance, he won by unanimous decision to progress to the final.

The final proved to be his toughest test, as he faced another Romanian competitor who was previously a world champion in a different weight class. In a highly competitive and hard-fought contest, Joe demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and resilience to secure a unanimous decision victory.

As a result, Joe was crowned the 2026 WAKO World Cup Champion - a remarkable achievement and a testament to his dedication and hard work. This success marks a significant moment in his sporting journey and highlights his potential on the international stage.