Sponsored by
So you wanna be a boxer?
WHATEVER the elusive eye of the tiger is – I don't have it. Never have, never will.
I did try boxing as a 13-year-old in my hometown of Doncaster, but after failing my eyesight test, dropped it quicker than Ivan Drago did Apollo Creed in Rocky IV.
That's not to say I dislike the 'noble art'. Far from it.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of stopping up with my dad until 4am to watch fights beamed over from America.
Tommy 'The Hitman' Hearns, 'Marvellous' Marvin Hagler and Roberto 'Hands Of Stone' Duran – I loved them all. How can you not with sobriquets like that?
North East England, of course, has also produced its share of great fighters over the years.
Glenn McCrory, Billy Hardy, John Davison and more recently 2008 Olympic bronze-medal winner Tony Jeffries, being just a few.
In South Shields, one name which could in time be bandied around in the same breath as these is that of Chris Mullen, who trains at Harton and Westoe Amateur Boxing Club (HWABC), based at Low Lane, Harton.
Chief trainer there is Roni Nesbitt, 59, from South Shields, a married dad-of-eight, whose daughter Nikita, 17, is the 49kg national ABA champion and part of the UK's Olympic boxing team.
Of his most famous male proteg, Roni said: "We have our heart set on Chris at the moment. He's a very talented fighter.
"It's on the cards for him to be a champion. He's got determination and guts and is an emissary for the sport."
Having formerly been based in a portable building on the same Harton Lane grounds, the gym moved to the new state-of-the-art Harton and Westoe Miners Colliery Welfare (HWMCW) building just three years ago.
Yet already, like all great gyms, you can smell the desire in the air.
You can see it in the eyes of the young boxers working away on the bags, and hear it in the fists thumping into Roni's hands as he takes a pad session in the ring.
After retiring as an amateur, where he learnt his trade at Boldon Community Association under Gordon French, he became a coach and has since then taught legions of local kids how to box.
Always willing to put myself forward, I gloved-up to get involved.
First thing I needed to do was have Roni show me how to hit a bag properly.
The correct way apparently is to rotate the fists as you punch, so they are flat upon contact.
Being right handed I lead with my left jab, but when it's time for the right cross, the hips should also swivel, by moving onto the ball of your right foot.
"You don't have to be big," Roni revealed. "It's all about power and speed. The smallest guy in the world can hit as hard as a heavyweight."
Hmm, maybe not this small guy.
Doing a much better job on an adjacent bag was David Majid, 18, from South Shields, who has been going to the gym for the last year.
He said: "I came here for something to do. I've learnt how to box better and to listen to advice. I'm stronger, fitter and much quicker than I used to be."
Asked if he thought boxing could help him defend himself, his response was emphatic.
"Definitely."
Also training was Roni's grandson, John Nellist, 16, from South Shields, who admitted boxing had given shape to his life since he took it up four years ago.
"It gets you out of trouble and gets you off the streets. It's done the same for me.
"It's got me a lot fitter and given me more confidence. I can look after myself now too," said the South Tyneside College fitness instruction student.
Training in two-minute spurts, after a 30-second rest we all moved clockwise around the gym to a different type of bag, exercise or weight training.
Eventually you end up at the ring, where you can go in to either spar or go on the pads with one of the coaches.
Then again, you don't have to, as Roni explained: "There's nothing to fear. They can come just for exercise if they want."
Having not sparred for years, I plumped first for a round on the pads under the guidance of 41-year-old Mark Harrison, who, along with Jim Inskip, makes up the club's ABA coaching triumvirate.
Having boxed for five years, South Shields resident Mark is a qualified ABA coach, who admitted he spent much of his spare time away from being a fireman at the gym.
"It's rewarding," he said. "It's good to teach lads from scratch who know nowt.
"We have some good young boxers here who I hope to have on some local shows this year, such as Tony Walter, Karl and Ryan Hall, Alex Lynn and Grant Koomson.
"We get people of all ages coming here, all the way up to 50."
Being almost 40, I was interested to see how I'll do on the pads with him in the ring.
As the bell rang, he fired off instructions, "Jab. Jab. One-two. Jab. Right."
It didn't take me long to realise I'd forgotten more things than I could remember.
Chief among these being always to keep your hands up.
"Elbows in Johnny, thumbs on your chin," he repeated mantra-like.
My brain was listening, but the arms weren't.
As if full of mercury, they repeatedly drooped down towards my chest.
That is until Mark flicked out swift chastening taps with his gloves towards my head.
"Arms up!"
If it was a real bout, I would have been horizontal by this point.
Though I could feel the old combinations clicking in quite well, I still looked as though I was slow motion compared to the other lads I'd watched since arriving.
After two minutes, I was bushed.
Mark then explained how the coaching staff pick out potential fighters from those who come in to just train.
"If we see someone who looks quite talented, we will get them in early and try them at sparring."
Surprising even myself, I volunteered for a sparring session.
Roni smiled and instructed me to put on the mandatory headguard, box and gum shield.
Ding, ding.
For the next two minutes, I danced (I like to think) around him, stunning him with my deadly arsenal of jabs, crosses, body shots and uppercuts.
Ha!
Who am I kidding, Roni swept away everything I chucked at him like a bear flicking away gadflies.
He never even broke sweat.
I, on the other hand, felt like I'd run up and down Ben Nevis.
Great fun though.
"Come to the gym and we'll have you polished within a month," Roni added.
Sadly I'm more than 38, so I wouldn't be able to fight as an amateur.
I can live with that.
To quote 70s songbird, Gilbert O'Sullivan: "I'm a writer, not a fighter".
As the session drew to a close to allow the professional boxers in to train, Mark informed me that the gym relies solely on the 3 it charges adults for each session, or 1.50 for the unemployed
and students.
The gym is entirely self-funding with much of the equipment, including the ring, having been brought by Roni from the previous facility.
However, new bags and gloves were paid for with by donations, so they're looking for a local business to sponsor the boxing team this season.
"We want to give something back by having a pitman's son champion," Roni added.
"That would be great for South Tyneside."
If you are interested in trying boxing, call the gym on 456 6166.
If any private trainers are interested in hiring the use of the gym, contact the main reception in person.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Newcastle target Barnetta to quit Bayer Leverkusen
- Transfer Rumours update May 22: Sunderland, Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and QPR.
- Amalfitano flies into Toon to seal Newcastle deal
- Cats ready to Hammer out McCartney deal
- Teacher died hours after hospital sent her home
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
