Boxer Johnny Nelson has thrown his weight behind a Huddersfield club by bringing a venture to the town – in which you can fight against your workmates.
Rawthorpe Amateur Boxing Club, run by Mark and Sean Reynolds, is moving from the Gas Club in Huddersfield to Bridge Croft Mills in Tanyard Road, Milnsbridge.
Johnny has known Mark Reynolds for many years and is backing the move which he says will make the club more accessible for new members.
And to help with fund raising and to raise awareness, he is bringing his Elite White Collar Boxing event to Huddersfield Leisure Centre in February.
White Collar Boxing originated in New York in the late 1980s. People train for eight weeks and then take on one of their work colleagues in the ring.
They are matched against opponents by weight, height and age and anyone who has boxed before is not allowed to compete.
The eight weeks of training, taking two nights a week, will be held at the club starting in early January with the fights at Huddersfield Leisure Centre on February 28.
The emphasis is more on getting fit than on the actual fights, which are three two-minute rounds.
Johnny said that what Mark is doing at his club by encouraging new people to join reminds him of how he started boxing.
“I didn’t want to fight,” he said. “I just went there to make friends and to be with my mates.
“It gives you some stability in your life and I would just go for the banter and to use the gym.
“It wasn’t until time went on that I decided to take it more seriously.”
Johnny, based in Sheffield, went on to become the WBO cruiserweight champion for more than seven years with 13 successful title defences.
He said: “I have known Mark for years and he is taking things to another level in terms of getting the community involved.
“Plenty of people go to his club where it is now, but the move will make it more accessible to everyone.
“When he asked if I could help out, I jumped at the chance.”
Former world boxing champion Joe Calzaghe has also given a boost to the club.
READ MORE:Former world boxing champ Joe Calzaghe gives boost to Rawthorpe Amateur Boxing Club in Milnsbridge
Joe spoke about his life and career at a sporting dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel at Ainley Top in October.
A raffle and auction of memorabilia on the night raised £1,000 for the club.
