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SPORT<br />
BOX<br />
to<br />
Whether it’s simply to<br />
work up a sweat and<br />
get a bit fitter, or to step<br />
into the ring to compete<br />
competitively, boxing is<br />
a sport that continues<br />
to maintain widespread<br />
appeal for a diverse<br />
cross-section of people...<br />
T<br />
he majority of those who<br />
step through the doors of<br />
the 900-plus gyms affiliated<br />
to governing body England<br />
Boxing each day are there purely for<br />
recreational purposes – to skip, punch a bag,<br />
shadow box and learn the skills and training<br />
drills.<br />
After a hard day at the office, it’s a great<br />
way to get rid of building stress levels and<br />
maintaining strong mental health, plus the<br />
friendly, social environment<br />
means it’s easy to make<br />
new friends.<br />
People who attend<br />
often comment that it<br />
helps to build confidence<br />
and self-esteem, and<br />
there are obvious benefits<br />
in terms of improving<br />
overall fitness, in particular<br />
cardiovascular health and<br />
overall body strength.<br />
Gym in Sheffield.<br />
Competition<br />
Those who compete<br />
against each other are<br />
said to be ‘carded’ boxers – they have been<br />
registered and undergone a medical review<br />
before they take on another opponent. They<br />
must be at least ten-years- old and can only<br />
be matched against someone of similar age,<br />
weight and experience.<br />
Safety is the number one priority, with all<br />
competitive bouts taking place under the<br />
supervision of a qualified events supervisor,<br />
as well as qualified referees, judges and<br />
officials, backed-up by the provision of a<br />
ringside doctor. All must wear gum-shields<br />
and, senior men aside, head-guards.<br />
It is mandatory for all competitive boxers<br />
72<br />
Women training at the Aspire<br />
have an annual medical assessment<br />
and, prior to each bout, boxers must again<br />
undergo a further health check to ensure<br />
they are ‘fit-to-box’.<br />
England Boxing has been holding its<br />
National Amateur Championships (formerly<br />
ABAs) since 1881, with this year’s event<br />
taking place in April over two weekends<br />
in Nottingham and Manchester across 21<br />
weight divisions – 11 for men and 10 for<br />
women.<br />
As well as the senior ranks, there are also<br />
aged-based Championships for Youth, Junior<br />
and School boxers staged between February<br />
and May, together with a Development<br />
event in October and Women’s Winter Box<br />
Cup in December.<br />
Professionals<br />
Those tournaments have, down the years,<br />
proven to be a very useful breeding ground<br />
for some of Britain’s most celebrated<br />
performers both at Olympic level – the<br />
highest stage on which an amateur can<br />
compete – and on the professional circuit.<br />
Two of the biggest names in heavyweight<br />
boxing, Anthony Joshua (with Finchley in<br />
2010 and 2011) and Tyson Fury (with Jimmy<br />
Egan’s in 2008) have won coveted national<br />
senior titles and they are not alone in using<br />
their amateur triumphs as a springboard to<br />
further success.<br />
Carl Froch, Ricky Hatton, George Groves,<br />
Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, Alan Minter and<br />
Henry Cooper, as well as Nicola Adams,<br />
Savannah Marshall and Stacey Copeland,<br />
are some of the other familiar faces and are<br />
products of the English amateur system.<br />
Many boxers are roared on by family and<br />
friends when they take part in a bout, but<br />
all spectators are welcome, with many clubs<br />
holding their own shows.<br />
Most events are pay-on-the-day and<br />
relatively cheap, with the typical price to view<br />
a full session of boxing at an England Boxing<br />
event around £20 for adults and significantly<br />
cheaper for concessions and children.<br />
Youth<br />
For many young people, learning to box is a<br />
positive physical interest that keeps them out<br />
of trouble and teaches them discipline that<br />
serves them well mentally and emotionally<br />
throughout their lives too.<br />
Inclusion<br />
Coaches at some clubs, meanwhile, have<br />
been trained in how to make sessions<br />
inclusive for people with disabilities. One<br />
such example is at Poole ABC, where a<br />
member who has cerebral palsy boxes and<br />
spars on her knees.<br />
If you have a disability, then you can<br />
contact one of nine club support officers<br />
based around the country, via the England<br />
Boxing website, who will be happy to point<br />
you in the right direction.<br />
The best way to find your<br />
nearest club is online at www.<br />
englandboxing.org, where<br />
the Club Finder has a list of<br />
all registered clubs, as well as<br />
contact details.<br />
A bout from the England Boxing National<br />
Junior Championships <strong>2019</strong>, Rotherham.<br />
<strong>MAN</strong> MAGAZINE SUMMER <strong>2019</strong><br />
sevenstarmedia.co.uk
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