Brandon, known as “Mr Rock” squares up to his rival “Thunder”, aka James. Their boxing gloves touch and they eye up each other, waiting for the bell.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill boxing. Brandon is 21 and James is 19. Both are students at specialist college National Star based in Mamhilad, near Pontypool.
Leading the session is Chris McEwen, the chairman of Great Britain Disability Boxing, a former soldier with disabilities, and a man on a mission.
His aim is to make boxing inclusive – for everyone. He runs adapted sessions at National Star as part of a programme sponsored by BoxWise, a charity which uses boxing to help young people build their confidence, improve their health and wellbeing and maximise all opportunities available to them.
“Boxing clubs are about the people who come through the door, each one of them has a different story,” says Chris. “The togetherness and tenacity of the sport creates a family environment in which everyone enjoys physical health benefits as well as huge positive mental health and behavioural changes.
“Boxing doesn’t save lives, it changes lives. There are only a handful of sports that are truly inclusive, and boxing is one of them. Anyone, regardless of their disability, can participate.”
It’s that participation and teamwork which the students really respond to.
“Come on, encourage your team. As a boxer you always need a bit of support,” Chris tells the students as they watch a colleague complete a match on virtual reality.
“You can do it,” shouts Brandon as he cheers on a friend trying the virtual reality boxing.
“Well done, Brandon,” says Chris. “Good motivating of your teammates. You came back from a loss and didn’t give up.”
“The learners love the boxing sessions. Sadly, disability often excludes young people, and they end up watching activities from the sidelines,” says Rebecca Roberts, Curriculum Manager at National Star in Wales.
“But adaptive boxing allows them to be the centre of the activity. There are the obvious benefits of cardiovascular workout and the improvement of motor skills but it is much more. You can see their confidence soar and they are engaged.”
One National Star student who knows all about the power of adaptive boxing is 21-year-old Shannon. She is a residential student at National Star in Gloucestershire but has been involved for many years with the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club of which Chris is chair.
Shannon uses a wheelchair following a life-changing accident when she was aged 11. She uses an electronic communication device to speak. If you judge her by her appearance and not her boxing skill, then you may just get a shocking right hook.
“I started boxing after a friend told me about the club,” says Shannon. “I love it because Chris makes it so fun. It has really helped my confidence.”
Brandon says the boxing sessions are the favourite part of his week. “What I like most is being with my friends,” he says. “It helps me know how to defend myself. It helps me get my stress out.”
Another student, who has learning disabilities, says his favourite part is the virtual reality boxing. “It’s so cool. I love the graphics.”
Every session is tailored to the abilities of the students involved and start with warm-up exercises.
For Poppy, 19, who uses a wheelchair, Chris focuses on her arms which she has more use of. Poppy enjoys it because it is a fun way to do movements and exercise.
Caleb, who is 20 and autistic, takes part in tag boxing with Chris and a new student who will join National Star in September. They start with simple single movements, going from one to the other. With every round Chris adds another move so that the sequence becomes longer and more complex.
“Boxing helps me feel better,” says Caleb. “It makes me feel happy, because I like boxing.”
And that match between Mr Rock and Thunder? Well, after a third opponent – “The Haymaker” – was knocked out in the heats, it was Mr Rock and Thunder in the final bout. Who won?
Well, they all did by the time Chris was finished. Regardless of who won the last match he praised all of them, highlighting what they had done well from great hooks to good guard and super encouragement.
“Boxing isn’t a sport that you would put together with disability, but why shouldn’t it be?” says Chris.
“What we all want, regardless of our disability, is to be treated like everyone else, to be included and to not be sidelined.”
Chris and the young people involved with the sessions are knocking down those barriers in the boxing ring and beyond – one hook at a time.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here