A BOXING club that helps keep 200 people off the streets and enjoy the sport is celebrating international success.

Golden Ring Boxing Club in Millbrook might not seem like the obvious place to hone international boxing talent, but its recent wins have put the gym on the map.

The Southampton boxing club had much to celebrate last November as amateur light heavyweight boxer, Amber Moss-Birch, 17, achieved a gold medal at the 2022 IBA World Youth Boxing Championships in La Nucia, Spain.

Far from throwing in the towel the club was represented on the international stage once again after 18-year-old, Louis Kirwan gloved up for England to take on Wales in a bout in Birmingham on Saturday.

It’s just reward for Golden Ring head coach, Stuart Gill, 60, who has seen many come and go under his stewardship since 2008, as he’s looked to develop local talent and give a purpose to those who might otherwise go astray.

Stuart told the Daily Echo: “We’re the hub of the community.

“Loads of local lads want to get off the street and do something.

“We’ve had a couple here that have been really good little lads, but their head’s just gone the wrong way and they prefer being in trouble with the police.

“Obviously that must be more fun than someone trying to punch them!

“We’ve had a couple of guys go that way but that’s the way it is.

Daily Echo:

“But that was two out of about 200 members.

“It’s not the 200 that are causing problems on the streets of Millbrook.

“We’re aiming at them; we want to get them active and doing something.

“You’re not going to help them all… but we try.

“They’re not all going to turn out to be boxers.”

READ MORE: MP calls for new police station to open for the public

In a city littered with boxing gyms, it’s Golden Ring’s passion and personal local touch that Stuart feels sets them apart – as a group of dedicated volunteers help with the running of the club.

Stuart said: “A lot of clubs out there are just money-orientated.

“It’s upsetting because you get some kids going to these clubs that have got people coaching them that have never done a first-aid course, never done a safeguarding course, let alone a coaching course.

“They might be teaching a kid that will be good in the future but won’t have an opportunity.

“We can be really proud of what we’ve done here because not everyone gets the chance to do what some of our boxers have done and will do.”

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