Bolton Lads' Club participate in all manner of sports and games but boxing has always been prominent. This picture was taken at an event in Burnley. Lighting at amateur boxing is nearly always poor, often consisting of a single floodlight mounted directly above the ring's centre, as here.
The youngster is listening intently to his coach before the next round. There is something emotive about this sport and I think the bravery of the lads somehow comes through in this picture.
I wasn't the only one who liked it. The picture won the North West Sports Council's Professional Sports Photographer of the Year competition.
HP5 pushed to 3200 ASA. 135mm f2 lens, 1/125 sec at f2.8.