A Radcliffe boxing club has joined forces with a training academy to support local veterans, the homeless and young people.
Radcliffe Elite Boxing on Sion Street has partnered with the Fix Up Academy on Bury Old Road to offer training and pugilist skills to trainees.
Fix Up Academy aims to teach accredited skills but also back this work with mental health counselling and nutrition.
At the academy, trainees can learn new skills such as beauty including massage techniques and facials, barbering and tattooing, customer service skills and more.
And now there will also be activities, such as the boxing with Radcliffe Elite Boxing, to improve fitness and self-discipline.
Cheryl Hogan, founder of Fix Up, said: “The trainees that we are working with are notoriously hard to engage with.
“The education system hasn’t suited them; family life may have been chaotic, and they could be surrounded by toxic influences.
“We can offer them work experience and qualifications, even health advice, but only activities like this, can keep them onside.
“We’re as pleased as punch that Radcliffe Elite have joined us because our cohort loves boxing.”
According to Radcliffe Elite Boxing, the sport has got up off the canvass and experienced a real rejuvenation in recent years, with fitness, discipline, and a chance to bond being some of its biggest bonuses.
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Women’s boxing has proved a particular hit thanks to the success of North West fighters such as Natasha Jonas.
Past champions from George Forman to Mike Tyson have been praised for their journeys from troubled upbringings to success in the ring, and boxing can still have that transformative effect – says Dale Healey from Radcliffe Elite Boxing.
He said: “It is far better to put on the gloves in the ring than see young people settle things with a weapon.
“Boxing brings rivalry and respect amongst fighters and when they leave our sessions, they are the best of friends and have smiles on their faces.”
Dale knows all about the restorative appeal of boxing.
Having dipped in and out of the sport, Dale descended into an alcohol addiction problem, and an imprisonment.
His transformation began when he dreamt of opening a boxing gym – and was supported by both his dad and former British and Commonwealth Bantom-weight champion, Ady Lewis.
Dale, who also runs sessions for disabled children at Radcliffe Elite, said: “They saved my life and I want the young people from Fix Up to be able to talk to me and become role-models themselves.
“When I have finished a boxing session I get into the shower and feel like a brand-new person. I want the Fix Up students to feel the same.”
For those who want some boxing coaching? Contact info@fixupacademy.co.uk
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.
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