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Hampshire's very own Fight Club
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| The fighters square up |
IN THE HEART OF INNER CITY
Southampton, Hollywood glamour is
thin on the ground and none of the
suited men lined up in the ring would
claim to be Brad Pitt.
Fight Club this ain't.
Yet, as in the smash-hit film that
propelled white-collar boxing into the
mainstream, these businessmen have
come here to learn how to pack a
devastating punch.
Financial whizzkids, property
developers, business investors - it's not a
list to strike fear into the heart of
experienced exponents of the noble art.
But these professionally successful men
are serious about their sport, giving up
lunch hours and time after long days in
the office to work punch bags, heft
medicine balls and spar into the night.
It appeals to men (there is as yet no
women's class) stuck behind a desk
contemplating their rapidly developing
paunch and wanting to get rid of the
stresses of a demanding day, says Simon
Williamson, who started the classes at
his Northam gym.
Smelling of stale sweat and
boasting décor politely described as
rough and ready, Millbank Gym is
the perfect boxing environment,
looking every bit like a set from some
American fight flick.
A variety of heavy bags hang from the
ceiling and top Southampton boxer
Henry Castle is noisily working up a
sweat on the pads with trainer Wayne in
the roped ring that dominates the back
of the room.
The stinging thwacks punctuate the
white-collar class going on in front,
serving as both inspiration and potent
warning not to drop your guard.
It's nothing to worry about says Simon,
by day an insolvency agent, before
diluting his reassurance by revealing he
holds a black belt in Korean martial art
Tae kwon do.
"You'll find white-collar boxing is
scrappy compared to professional
fights," he said. "I accidentally knocked
one of Pete's gold teeth out in one of the
first lessons, but we've not really had a
problem at all.
"We approach it from a very
professional point of view. We have to
ensure people have the correct training
before they get in the ring.
"It's a non-intimidating, friendly
environment, I can't stress that
enough. You don't have to get in the
ring, you can just come and learn boxing
techniques."
Emerging out of New York in the
1980s, white-collar boxing has enjoyed a
rapid rise in support, with dedicated
white-collar clubs soon springing up on
both sides of the
Atlantic. There
are even
international
bouts, with
English
bankers
taking on
their
German counterparts in the ring
as well as the boardroom.
And there's an eager audience in
Southampton, with more than 50 people
turning out for the £5-an-hour classes,
although it's rarely more than ten at
any one time.
"I think boxing has that aggression
behind it and that's what appeals
to the guys," said Simon. "If you are
sat behind your desk and you've
put on weight but enjoyed your
sport in the past then this would
appeal and give you a chance to
learn a new skill.
"People think they've maybe missed a
window, but it's not too late. We have
people aged from 30-50. It's that sort of
range. It's for professionals who have
had to get their head down at work and
then got a family and now wants to get
back into a bit of sport.
"Boxing is a full body workout.
It speeds your reactions and develops
all kind of skills. A lot of guys will
lose weight.
"Some people have never been hit
and that's an eye opener, good or bad.
Some people hate it and some people
thrive on it. There's also what you get
from putting the punches in and it's
very satisfying."
For most, it's time out of a hectic
business day.
"I do 11 hours a day most of the time
and this is a good release, especially if
you're having a bad day," said 28-yearold
mortgage company director Peter
Williams.
"It's about fitness, that's the main
thing. At the beginning I wasn't planning
on getting in the ring but now I've
changed my mind."
Matt Marsh, 29, a director of a
financial
company, is another dreaming of
glory in the ring.
"I wouldn't mind doing a couple of
exhibition fights," he said. "I had always
said I would do this and so I thought I'd
better get on with it before I get too old.
"Everyone worries about getting
hit, but you've got to hit them before
they hit you."
Property developer Mark Flaherty, 44,
isn't so sure.
"If I ever get in the ring it will be for
my entertainment and not everyone
else's," he said. "I am constantly fighting
the middle aged spread. This means I can
justify the business lunches and a few
beers. I prefer to work out than diet."
At 48 years old, property investor Peter
Harding is the oldest of the bunch, but
he's relishing the challenge.
"In truth, my mother wouldn't let
me box when I was little, but now
I'm a big boy.
"I have played local football over the
years but this was a real challenge. It is
the hardest sport I have ever done - it's
certainly the gutsiest.
"To be honest, with me being punched
is not the problem. One of the things
they are working on with me is trying
not to get punched.
"I am a positive business person
so I tend to go forward, but I have to
learn to go backwards a
bit as well."
■ To get involved
contact Simon
at the Millbank Gym
at simon@millbankgroup.com.
9:50am Saturday 9th February 2008
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CommentPosted by: Robbie, Soton on 2:27pm Sat 9 Feb 08
An ice rink would be a more sensible idea!
This is, after all, the 21st century and the brain damage associated with pugilism is well known (by those who do not keep their heads buried in the sand).
An ice rink would be a more sensible idea!
This is, after all, the 21st century and the brain damage associated with pugilism is well known (by those who do not keep their heads buried in the sand).
Posted by: Reg, Southampton on 3:58pm Sat 9 Feb 08
The thought of white collar office wallahs and mediocre local businessmen beating each other up on thier lunch-breaks has cheered me up immensely.
The thought of white collar office wallahs and mediocre local businessmen beating each other up on thier lunch-breaks has cheered me up immensely.
Posted by: live local, southampton on 5:12am Sun 10 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Robbie[/bold] wrote:
An ice rink would be a more sensible idea! This is, after all, the 21st century and the brain damage associated with pugilism is well known (by those who do not keep their heads buried in the sand).[/quote] Great Idea Robbie since the boxing club is a product of private enterprise I am sure you will do the same and set up the loss making project yourself and stop whinging here.
Robbie wrote:
An ice rink would be a more sensible idea! This is, after all, the 21st century and the brain damage associated with pugilism is well known (by those who do not keep their heads buried in the sand).
Great Idea Robbie since the boxing club is a product of private enterprise I am sure you will do the same and set up the loss making project yourself and stop whinging here.
Posted by: Harriett, Sholing on 8:15pm Sun 10 Feb 08
Local Businessmen or Dad's money ?
Local Businessmen or Dad's money ?
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