From an Xbox addiction to regional champion, this Jarrow boxer changed his life thanks to ABC Boxing

An up-and-coming boxer has turned his life around from being overweight and addicted to Xbox to being a regional champion, thanks to his local boxing club.
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Ewan Mackenzie, 21, weighed 15 stone when he joined ABC Boxing, based at Bilton Hall Community Trust in Jarrow.

Since then he gone on to lose five stone and win a number of belts and championships.

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Ewan, who is a full-time Nissan worker, joined the club three years ago and has worked to completely change his lifestyle, growing in confidence, becoming motivated and being in a much better place mentally.

Jarrow boxer Ewan Mackenzie before (right) and after joining ABC boxingJarrow boxer Ewan Mackenzie before (right) and after joining ABC boxing
Jarrow boxer Ewan Mackenzie before (right) and after joining ABC boxing

Speaking about winning regional titles, he said: “All the hard work pays off. Being in the gym everyday and juggling it with work life is hard, but it makes it all worth it.

“I used to suffer from panic attacks and lack of confidence when I was overweight. That doesn’t happen anymore because of boxing, the club has completely changed my life.”

At 10 years old, Ewan lost his dad to a blood clot on the brain. And though his father never got to see him box, he uses his memory as fuel to keep him going.

He added: “It gives me motivation to do it in his memory.”

Jarrow boxer Ewan Mackenzie (Left) and his coach Callum LarsonJarrow boxer Ewan Mackenzie (Left) and his coach Callum Larson
Jarrow boxer Ewan Mackenzie (Left) and his coach Callum Larson
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Since joining the club at 18, Ewan has boxed all around the country, becoming a two-time TTW Champion, an ABA National sliver medallist, 67kg two-time TTW belt title holder (Novice and Elite) and the 71kg TTW elite belt title holder, winning 23 of his 37 fights.

Ewan’s coach, Callum Larson, who will be running five marathons in five days in aid of the club, is delighted with the progress he has made.

He said: “He’s going from strength to strength. He’s still only young and he’s doing really well, boxing some of the best around all over the country.

“Ewan and one of our other up and comers Robbie Coleman who just won a Development belt for us are doing the club really proud.”

Ewan has future ambitions to turn professional in the next few years and is raring to go in the world of boxing

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