Boxing Gym Offers Free Lessons for Knife Hand-Ins in County Durham

I thought I was pretty fit. Turns out, I was wrong. I like watching boxing. I wanted to try it myself. I got the chance at a gym. It’s in County Durham. Boxing showed me how fit boxers really are.

I went to Alpha Boxing Gym in Leadgate. A photographer came too. He played the “Rocky” theme in the car. I wanted to learn punch combos and movement. The session sounded great.

Andrew Conner, his wife, and stepson greeted us. Andrew started the gym recently. He wants to get knives off the street. He offers free boxing for knives. Someone handed in a knife that morning.

Andrew’s idea connects with a campaign called Stop Lives Taking Knives. It started after teen stabbings. We will now begin with a gentle jog on the treadmill. It got my blood pumping; running was easy for me.

Next came pad work. Andrew was patient and great. I forgot to turn my wrist during a left hook. Andrew was demanding, and I respected that. He ran the session normally; he did not take it easy on me.

We did pad work for twenty minutes. At first, it was a one-two punch combo. I forgot to turn my hips, but Andrew showed me what to do. Soon, I felt better and improved slowly. Next, we added a jab, then a straight right hand. He taught me to make the most power, which comes from the big toe.

I did not believe him at first with padwork combinations. Andrew explained it all and showed me the difference. I felt the power myself! The last part was a block and weave. It felt good in a sequence, but I was exhausted after twenty minutes.

Andrew told me to lie down, which I was relieved to do. I was wrong! He made me lift my body. First, my top half, then bottom, then both at once. This was tough after all that pad work already.

Next, I did rapid pad work. Andrew’s stepson, Clayton, helped. Clayton was also great. They showed me what I did wrong. He really challenged me, and I learned a lot in those minutes.

I thought it was the cool down now. Nope! I got on an air bike with a big fan. I thought it would be easy. Wrong again! It was punishing. I did four sets of ten seconds, giving it everything I had. Andrew forgot how to count!

I couldn’t move when it ended and felt sick. Cold water helped my face. Then Andrew said something shocking. “That’s half of what I do,” he said. I was amazed and could not believe it.

I staggered away from that session. Now, I respect how fit boxers are. Andrew is a great man, and his gym does a great job. I am thankful for the experience and would tell young people to visit.

Andrew needs money to stay open. He put everything into the gym. He needs sponsorships and funding because he doesn’t want to fail.